Former Cumming Elementary PTO Treasurer Guilty, Gets Probation

A former Cumming Elementary School PTO treasurer pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing more than $30,000 from the parent teacher organization and was given a 15-year sentence to serve on probation.

Jamie Garfield, 37, entered a gulity plea to three counts of theft by taking, according to Forsyth Chief Assistant District Attorney Sandra Partridge.

"She paid $10,000 of the restitution on the day of the plea in a certified check which was given to the principal [of Cumming Elementary] to give to the PTO," said Partridge. "She has another $22,000 of restitution to pay over the course of 15 years."

Garfield will also have to do community service.

Partridge said the negotiated plea was due in large part to Pam Pajerski, Cumming Elementary School principal, and Jennifer Davis, the school's PTO president not wanting Garfield to serve any time in prison because she has young children.

"They really didn't want to see that happen," said Patridge.

Garfield is accused of stealing the money over a 21-month period between 2009 and 2010.

Partridge said while negotiating the plea with Garfield's attorney, Douglas Chanco, she took into account that Garfield took responsibility for her action.

Chanco said the outcome for his client was a very fair result.

"This case was the result of one bad choice," he said. "Jamie wanted to take responsibility and that's what she did yesterday [Wednesday]."

Chanco added that Garfield had a lot of support from the community.

"Many people were there [court] on Jamie's behalf," he said.

According to Chanco, Superior Court Chief Judge Jeffrey Bagley, who heard Wednesday's case, said Garfield is not allowed to be involved with another PTO.

The Cumming Elementary School PTO discovered that one of their accounts was overdrawn, leading them to approach Cumming Police Department regarding an investigation of suspected criminal activity.

Authorities learned of the theft following a police report filed on Aug. 5, 2010.

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