Homeowners In Atlanta Area Demand Audit After HOA President Accused Of Embezzling Thousands

Owners within the Magnolia Stroll subdivision close to Atlanta have employed an audit staff to assessment their HOA funds following the arrest of their former president, Richard Austin, on fraud costs.

Austin is accused of stealing over $7,000 by submitting an bill for companies that by no means occurred. Owners mentioned they seen discrepancies within the HOA’s monetary data and contacted the police.

“We had been involved about cash being spent improperly, and companies being paid for that weren’t rendered,” Magnolia Stroll house owner William Washington instructed WSBTV  Information.  

In line with owners, Austin submitted a request for reimbursement for cameras he claimed had been put in close to the neighborhood poolhouse. Nonetheless, when authorities contacted the enterprise listed on the bill, they found that Austin had made no funds to the corporate and that no cameras had been put in. This led to police arresting Austin, who now faces costs of felony theft and deception.

The HOA paid a further $7,000 to have the cameras put in, which Austin by no means did. Williams acknowledged that Magnolia Stroll residents are at present ready for the audit outcomes and that, whereas they know there may be already a $7,000 loss, they count on it to extend. He famous that the alleged theft strained the HOA’s already tight funds. 

“We are able to’t afford to overlook a penny,” Williams mentioned. 

Austin’s arrest is the most recent in a string of instances involving HOA leaders within the Atlanta space who’re dealing with comparable costs. In July, Tabetha Rowe, former president of the Camelot Rental HOA in South Fulton County, was arrested and booked on a number of costs, together with two counts of first-degree forgery and theft by cast signature to assert possession of a property. Investigators say she signed owners’ names on a quitclaim deed and took possession of their models with out their information.

Jay Marshall Cain, 77, treasurer of the Provincial Park Owners Affiliation in Carrollton, GA, was charged with Theft by Conversion and Forgery within the Second Diploma. Between 2022 and 2025, Cain allegedly appropriated 1000’s of {dollars} in HOA funds for private bills. 

If convicted, Austin might face one to fifteen years in jail, together with potential fines and restitution to victims.

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