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Written by: A. Smith
Published January 19, 2026 @ 9:09 AM ET
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – A former Cherokee County employee has been arrested and accused of stealing more than a quarter-million dollars in public funds over several years while working in a position of trust, according to court records.
Investigators say Lynn Ray Paige, who worked as an accounts receivable coordinator at the county’s Development Services Center, allegedly took $251,875.82 between October 2018 and July 2025. Paige is charged with theft by taking while in a fiduciary capacity, a felony offense under Georgia law.
According to affidavits filed in the case, Paige was responsible for handling and tracking incoming payments to the county. Authorities allege she exploited that role to divert county funds over a period of nearly seven years. The specific methods used to carry out the alleged thefts have not been detailed in publicly available court documents.
County officials confirmed Paige was terminated from her job in October 2025. It is not clear whether her firing was directly tied to the discovery of the alleged thefts or whether additional administrative reviews were conducted before her dismissal.
Investigators have not said how the suspected financial irregularities were uncovered or whether any of the missing money has been recovered. Officials also have not indicated whether other employees or outside parties may have been involved.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be filed as authorities continue to review financial records. Paige’s case will proceed through the Cherokee County court system.