A Putnam County woman who was arrested in August 2022 was accused by federal authorities recently, according to records from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Macon.
Jennifer Kay Smith, 49, of Rockville Road, Eatonton, was charged on Sept. 30 by information to one count of federal program theft. Smith, a former employee of the Baldwin County Housing Authority, is accused of stealing $548, 419.07 from the BCHA. Smith handled all of the Housing Authority’s financial and payroll accounts.
Being charged “by information” is not the same as being indicted because there is no grand jury involved.
“A federal charge is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law,” said Melissa Hodges, public affairs director of the US Attorney’s Office. “Therefore, Ms. Smith has in no way been convicted of any crime… and the Court has not ruled on her case. She is only facing an accusation. This is the first step in the judicial process.”
If convicted, Smith will have to forfeit personal money or substitute property equivalent to the amount stolen, according to the Information Document signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Deitrick.