Fmr. Georgia Tech Employee Sentenced Over P-Card Theft

A Fulton County Superior Court judge today sentenced a former Georgia Tech employee to ten years in prison for theft, using a state-issued purchasing card.

Judge John J. Goger found Michelle Harris guilty on one count of felony racketeering.

Harris stole over $170,000 from the school over a four-year period.

Harris used the card to pay for two college tuitions at Georgia State University, tens of thousands of dollars in gift cards, a diamond ring, car repairs and insurance, cellphone bills, and over $4,000 dollars to cater a wedding reception.

Harris was also slapped with a ten-year parole after serving her sentence.

New audit on p-card fraud

A lack of oversight in the state's higher education system is partly to blame for the misuse of state purchasing cards, according to an audit released today. The auditors recommend that schools tighten standards and require training courses to prevent further abuse. The University System of Georgia report said a flawed oversight system contributed to 22 cases of possible fraud involving the p-cards. At least 17 university employees have so far resigned, been fired or retired because of p-card misuse, and disciplinary action in other cases are pending.

Scandals lead to p-card crackdown

The Georgia House wants to tighten standards for state purchasing cards. The move follows reports of state employees misusing the cards. Today the House approved a bill allowing supervisors to review so-called p-cards and their purchases quarterly. After an audit found routine spending abuse, a dozen employees at state universities have resigned, been fired or retired.