The former long-time CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Bulloch County faces a felony charge of theft by taking.
According to a release Friday evening from Capt. Jared Akins with the Statesboro Police Department, “detectives were assigned (on May 17) to investigate allegations of financial improprieties involving the former CEO and former bookkeeper for the Boys and Girls Club of Bulloch County.
“Current staff at the Boys and Girls Club cooperated fully in the investigation.”
Akins said probable cause was developed to charge Michael Edgar Jones and his wife Leslie Jones, 42, with one count each of felony theft by taking. Jones, 53, had been CEO of the club since 2001.
According to the release, an attorney accompanied the Jones’ to the Bulloch County Jail Friday afternoon, where they surrendered.
Akins said the investigation is ongoing and no further information would be released at this time.
In a released statement, Scott Marchbanks, chair of the Boys and Girls Club, said:
“For more than 20 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Bulloch County has served the community with the absolute highest priorities being the safety and protection of the youth the Club serves, and the responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to the Club by donors. The organization is aware of a criminal investigation involving the former Chief Executive Officer for alleged misuse of funds.
“As soon as the Club became aware of the potential misuse of funds, a full investigation was launched, and the findings were turned over to law enforcement. The Club has been and will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement.
“The Club will also conduct a thorough and rigorous investigation of all management policies and procedures to further strengthen and safeguard the organization’s finances and operations going forward.
“As this is an active case, we are unable to offer further comment. Our commitment to our Club members, their families, and our community is unwavering.”
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Capt. Akins at (912) 764-9911 or submit an anonymous tip to www.tipsoft.com.