Former Georgia National Park Service worker admits to stealing $40K in taxpayer money, feds say

Written by: A. Smith

Published January 14, 2026 @ 11:05 AM ET

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. – A former maintenance employee at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars in taxpayer money by submitting false overtime claims, federal prosecutors said.

Donny Campbell, 48, of Ringgold, admitted to fraudulently reporting hundreds of hours of overtime he never worked while employed by the National Park Service, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. Prosecutors said the scheme ran for more than two years, from January 2017 through June 2019, and resulted in nearly $40,000 in improper payments.

Investigators determined that Campbell repeatedly submitted inaccurate time and attendance records, falsely claiming overtime hours that he did not perform. Those falsified entries were approved and paid, allowing Campbell to receive government funds to which he was not entitled.

“Federal employees are expected to be responsible stewards of taxpayer money,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. “When they abuse that trust, it diminishes public confidence that those dollars are spent appropriately.”

As part of his plea agreement, Campbell agreed to resign from his position, pay full restitution to the U.S. Department of the Interior and permanently forgo future federal employment. Prosecutors said the agreement reflects the seriousness of the offense and the breach of public trust involved.

Campbell pleaded guilty on Oct. 2, 2025, to theft of government funds. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2026, before U.S. District Judge John H. Rains IV. He faces potential prison time, fines and supervised release, though the final sentence will be determined by the court.

The case was investigated by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General. Federal officials emphasized that the investigation underscores ongoing efforts to identify and prosecute fraud involving public funds.