Jennifer O'Neal of Cedartown has pleaded guilty to theft of federal program funds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. The former employee worked as a program specialist at Court Appointed Special Advocates of Polk & Haralson, an organization that advocates for abused and neglected children.
O'Neal handled payroll and expense reimbursements for staff and volunteers. Between 2018 and 2022, she issued fraudulent payments to herself disguised as mileage reimbursements or costs for volunteers, staff, and children in the organization's care.
The mileage charges she submitted were inflated or based on travel that did not occur. Restaurant, grocery, utilities, and clothing reimbursements were processed for O'Neal's personal expenses rather than legitimate organizational costs.
The total amount stolen reached $96,713 and was used to cover personal bills, a Netflix subscription, Six Flags visits, softball gear, lingerie, and home theater equipment.
This was not a one-time decision, according to FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Mitchell Jackson. Jennifer O'Neal frequently and repeatedly stole from her company for her own personal gain.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated that O'Neal violated the organization's core values by stealing funds meant to support vulnerable members of the community.
Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 17, 2026.
