Prosecutor accused of using government ‘piggy bank’ to pay for dog cremation and shopping at Target

Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard is accused of using taxpayer funds to buy items such as pillows from Target and a cremation for her dog.

Authorities in Georgia have arrested Stephanie Woodard, the Solicitor General of Hall County, Atlanta, for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds intended for crime victims to purchase personal items, including the cremation of her dog, breakfast, and pillows from Target.

A grand jury indicted Woodard on 11 counts of theft by taking and 13 counts of false statements and writings, according to Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. The indictment alleges that from July 2018 to September 2022, Woodard used funds from Hall County and the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia for her own expenses. She also reportedly sought reimbursement for travel and continuing education classes she did not attend.

"Those elected to uphold the law must operate honestly, ethically, and transparently," Carr stated. "Theft of taxpayer dollars and falsifying documents to cover up that theft are entirely unacceptable."

Woodard, who was responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor cases within the county, now faces felony charges.

Hall County Solicitor Stephanie Woodard with Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.

The allegations include submitting a receipt from a breakfast restaurant, falsely claiming it was for abuse awareness, and requesting reimbursement for a court-related expense that was actually for her dog's cremation. She also allegedly bought pillows for herself at Target, claiming they were for a victim. Furthermore, she is accused of falsely stating that an expense related to law school admissions was for a victim in a local youth program when it was for someone else.

Atlanta's Fox affiliate, WAGA, has been investigating Woodard’s actions for years. Rick Farmer, of Precious Memories Crematory, confirmed to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) that he was paid $190 for cremating Woodard's dog. "It was paid to me, for her dog," Farmer stated. "Sounds like she owes the county some money and a whole bunch of other people a big apology."

Woodard's attorneys have called the indictment "absurd" and "unfathomable," asserting, "She absolutely committed no crime, but yet she has been viciously pursued by the GBI for years. They have harassed her family, including her children, during which time the agents were aware of ongoing severe health issues that they were facing."

GBI Director Chris Hosey emphasized that the indictment underscores the principle that no one is above the law. "As a public official, Hall County citizens trusted Solicitor Stephanie Woodard with their community’s interests," he said in a statement.