Written by: E. George
Published March 14, 2024 @ 9:40 PM ET
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities arrested a woman on February 26, 2024, for stealing approximately $50K from her employer over the course of one year. On December 30, 2023, a deputy met with the complainant at Kids Start Pediatrician PC on Westfork Court in Lithia Springs to discuss the alleged larceny.
The complainant explained that the business owner, his father, recently underwent surgery and could not attend the interview. He said it was just discovered that Lawanna Laketa Stephenson, an employee of the business for nine years, had compromised three of his father’s financial transaction cards (a business American Express card, a personal American Express card, and a Wells Fargo debit card) and completed a myriad of unauthorized transactions.
The deputy verified that Stephenson never had permission to use the cards. She allegedly utilized the funds to pay her car insurance and send money to her children and grandchildren.
The complainant said Stephenson used her Android cellular phone to make electronic payments and that his father does not own an Android phone. He informed the deputy that Stephenson would be terminated on January 2, 2024, and he wished to prosecute.
He submitted the victim’s transaction statements for all three cards, with Stephenson’s transactions highlighted.
Stephenson faces three felony counts of identity fraud, three counts of financial transaction card fraud, and one count of punishment/exploitation of a disabled or elderly person. This case is pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On December 30, 2023, I, Deputy Burgin, was dispatched to 1515 Westfork Ct Lithia Springs, Ga 30122 (Kids Start Pediatrician PC) in reference to a larceny.
Upon arrival, I met with the complainant, [WITNESS #1], his wife, and a female employee of the business. [WITNESS #1] advised that his father, [VICTIM #1], owned the business but could not be present due to just recently having a major surgery. [WITNESS #1] advised that it had just been discovered that one of [VICTIM #1]’s employee’s, identified as Lawanna Stephenson, had been stealing from [VICTIM #1] and the business. I was told that Lawanna, over the course of approximately one(01) year, had stolen approximately $50,000.00.
[WITNESS #1] advised that Lawanna had compromised both of [VICTIM #1]’s American Express cards, a business card and a personal card, and also [VICTIM #1]’s Wells Fargo debit card. Between the three (03) cards, Lawanna completed numerous transactions totaling roughly $50,000.00.
I asked [WITNESS #1] if Lawanna did have, or had ever had, permission to use any of the cards and he advised that she did not, nor ever had permission to use his father’s cards. I was advised that Lawanna used the cards to pay for her car insurance along with paying her children and grandchildren via CashApp. [WITNESS #1] advised that Lawanna made electronic payments using her Android phone and that [VICTIM #1] does not have an Android. I asked [WITNESS #1] if he would like Lawanna prosecuted and he advised “yes”.
I learned that Lawanna had been an employee of the business for approximately nine (09) years but would be terminated on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. I was then provided [VICTIM #1]’s transaction statement’s for the three (03) cards for 2023. All transactions made by Lawanna were highlighted. I collected the statements and placed them in the patrol room tray to be added to this report. I provided [WITNESS #1] with a case card advising of how to obtain a copy of the report. I then departed the business and returned to patrol duties.
[End of Narrative]