Walker County Women's Club President accused of stealing from charity
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE (Monday, Feb. 11):
LaFayette police confirm Ales Campbell has turned herself in after being accused of stealing thousands from a women's charity club while she was president of the organization.
Campbell has been charged with felony theft by taking, and the case has been turned over to the District Attorney's Office.
Walker County Schools superintendent Damon Raines says Campbell is no longer employed by the district.
ORIGINAL STORY (Feb. 1):
A former Walker County commission candidate has been accused of stealing almost $8,000 from a women's charity club.
Commission candidate Ales Campbell was a member of the LaFayette Women's Club, where she also served as president from 2016 to 2018.
Detective Billy Mullis with the City of LaFayette says members of the club brought it to his attention that money was missing from their overall bank account.
According to LaFayette Police Chief Bengie Clift, members of the organization said "as they cycled in a new president, they figured it out."
After an investigation, Detective Mullis issued an arrest warrant against Ales Campbell earlier this week.
The police report says club representative Stephanie Wardlaw told investigators that last October she discovered several mysterious and unauthorized debit card transactions and unauthorized ATM withdraws.
The report says Detective Mullis found evidence Campbell stole a total of $7902 from the organization at several different locations.
Detective Mullis says Campbell has until Friday at 5 p.m to turn herself in.
The club has requested she have time to turn herself in and that bond be available.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
