Deposit missing from tax commissioner’s office

Posted by
Staff Writer
in News Links, Top Stories
Tuesday, November 11. 2008
Comments (41)
A $14,600 deposit is missing from the Banks County Tax Commissioner’s office and the matter is under investigation by the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Charles Chapman said on Monday that Tax Commissioner Margaret Ausburn filed a report with his office on November 5 about the missing deposit.


Ausburn reported the matter was brought to her attention when she was contacted by someone who told her a check they had written her office had not cleared the bank. Ausburn reported she then began to do an internal investigation of all her bank statements for the past three or four months.

Chapman said Ausburn stated that a deposit is made out for each days work and the one in question is July 28, for July 25 work. Ausburn reported that July 28 was a Monday and, on that particular day, there were two deposits made, plus a deposit for some bad checks that had been returned. The deposit in question was written up in her daily deposit book. The deposit was not written up by Ausburn, but by one of the employees in the tax office, Chapman said.

That deposit should have been made the same day, on July 28. During this time, the tax office was preparing for the move to the new Banks County Courthouse Annex, Ausburn reported.

Ausburn said that she tried to find the missing deposit, but after she had exhausted what she could do, the report was filed with the Banks County Sheriff’s Office.

Chapman said, “Our office has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) for their assistance in this case and Ausburn has given us her full cooperation in this matter.”

The reason for the deposit being made out and not making it to the bank is yet to be determined, Chapman added.

“The investigation will continue until hopefully this matter is cleared up,” Chapman said.

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#1 Etienne Vincent on 11/12/08 at 09:09 AM [Reply]
Wow I had to get my tags that move time and I can tell you even the sheriffs dept didnt know where to send me on the day I went for my tags, I had stopped for direction at the jail and seemed the lack of planning was rather evident, The tag office had moved but other county offices really didnt seem to know where it had moved to, I guess one possiblitiy might be involving not the workers at the tag office but the persons moving the tag office, I dont know who did the move was it Bonded county employees of guests of the state that should be out on bond?? To blame the Tax office seems a little bit crazy in the event it was not their moving they themselfs did,

When I move I lose all kinds of stuff but really only misplace it and I have faith that the missing items if moved by BONDED persons checked by our county to be fairly honest that the items just got lost in the shuffle.
#2 Anonymous on 11/14/08 at 01:32 AM [Reply]
funny this wasnt mentioned before the election
#2.1 Bankstaxpayer on 11/18/08 at 06:28 PM [Reply]
You're a moron - Check the dates they moved!! When was this deposit lost???????
#2.1.1 mike sands on 11/21/08 at 07:49 PM [Reply]
I think their should be a recall on the new tax commissioner! I'm fed up with the way she does things(always late!)Sounds like a scheme going on. Let's wake up BANKS COUNTY! Where do I sign the petition for a recall, to finally get things going in the right direction! RECALL!
#3 anonymous on 11/15/08 at 08:56 AM [Reply]
With any business where bank deposits are made, there are strict loss prevention procedures and policies in place where it is documented when deposits are filled out, made at the bank, and when the deposit is verified at the bank, and recorded and signed off on at the business. Now I am not going to pretend to know how the county government verifies tax deposits, but I would hope for the sake of the taxpayers that all deposits are verified within at least a 72 hour period, just to catch such things as this. These deposits, if left overnight, should be locked in a safe, and only handled by authorized tax office employees. Are such policies in place? Are policies in our own tax office mismanaged? Relocating to another location is no reason to lose a deposit, this is ludicrous. Also, I too wonder why it wasn't reported until the day after the election.
#4 Dave on 11/15/08 at 12:24 PM [Reply]
What a damn coincidence, notifying the Sheriff on November 5 and not before the day of the election. How Convienent!! Now I read the tax bills are not going to make it out by the end of the year. Just exactly what the he77 are these Forrest wannabe's doing in the county courthouse annex? Probably the same things the Forre3sts running the county are doing. NOT A DAMN THING!
#5 steven v davis on 11/17/08 at 05:18 PM [Reply]
I really get all cracked up when I read about the things that ocur in your Banks County.....I guess this is just a payback for all those years of having a trial out on I-85 complete with a judge and all ....this took place during the seventies,,,,,thanks BANKS County for all the laughable moments you share with me.....the twenty five dollar ticket has begun to pay off ,,,thanks again..
#6 Doubting Thomas on 11/18/08 at 06:52 AM [Reply]
I have misplaced things in the past but I would think that if a government office is planning a move and had to know of the move well in advance, any money, deposits, etc. would have been taken care of in a professional manner and not just assume someone would handle it, especially when using outside movers. It should lay entirely upon Ms. Ausburn because she is the person that Banks County citizens had enough confidence in to put in that office. I can certainly understand the reasoning behind this seemingly minor detail not being made public until after the election. My son has personally experienced two occassions where he paid taxes and was not credited properly. What other secrets need to be made public?
#7 Dave on 11/18/08 at 06:30 PM [Reply]
How damn convenient!! Elections are held Nov 4, the lost deposit is reported Nov 5th!! When was the deposit lost? And now we learn this incompetent county official can't even get the tax bills out on time (as if she has done it for the past 5 years as well!!) Can anyone say RECALL?????

Where do I sign up???????
#8 Anonymous on 11/19/08 at 09:41 AM [Reply]
I am not suprised that the public did not learn of the missing money until after the election. That is exactly what I would expect anyone to do if they had something to hide and were campaigning for office. What else has Banks County not been told about? I also am not suprised that this has happened and wonder if it is the first time. My son personally had two different times when he was not properly given credit for paying his taxes and when he questioned the tax office,the response was that it was not their place to research the mistake, it was his place to prove that he had made the payment. He luckily had his receipt and his cancelled checks. My question is this, why would they not automatically check to see why their ledger did not reflect the payment. Why should a citizen who in effect pays the salary of a county employee have to do their job? I believe Banks County will be regretful of several choices made at the polls this election and I am sure that Tax Commissioner will be one.
#9 Weyna Sands on 11/20/08 at 06:19 PM [Reply]
Not again! I'm tried of paying property taxes twice in one year. This crates a hard ship on most of the people in Banks county. Why can't our propety taxes be consistent on a yearly basis? Yes, I also agree in a recall. Where do we sign up!
#10 Anonymous on 11/20/08 at 07:07 PM [Reply]
You know you damn people need to get over it and stop
judging people. People do make mistakes!!!!! If you
think you could do any better THEN YOU RUN FOR A OFFICE!!!!!!
You want to say RECALL!! If we do a recall and put Mrs.
Taylor in office just remember she worked for the tax office
for years so I say we would be in no better shape than we
are now. TAXES were late then, so what was the problem ??
For you that forgot the town mayor got a DUI see nobody
is perfect. JUDGE yourself before you JUDGE other. Mrs
Ausburn is a good person 1 mistake in how many years?????
#10.1 Anonymous on 11/24/08 at 03:33 PM [Reply]
Are you reading the same article as the rest of us?
They are not talking $100 from petty cash. This was
a $14,000 deposit. If I am not sadly mistaken
this belongs to hard working citizens and those barely
getting by on fixed incomes in Banks County. This is not
about Mrs. Taylor nor the town mayor! This is about Mrs.
Ausburn being held accountable and responsible for
the actions of herself and her employees and doing the
job that the TAXPAYERS of Banks County voted her into office
to do! How could you possibly think that the citizens of
Banks County wouldn't be upset?
#10.2 matthew on 11/24/08 at 06:31 PM [Reply]
What has Taylor been elected or the fact that the mayor was arrested for DUI have anything to do with the 14,000 dollar deposit being misplaced or lost and why did it take over 3 months for it to be reported. The tax commissioner needs to answer to this. I like Margaret and think she has done a terrific job in the past but in life we all have to answer to our mistakes Recall NO I don't think that is necessary. You have got to think that most of this was probably checks if the people in this county that knows there check was part of the missing deposit I think you should do your part and come forward also.
#10.3 hank taylor on 11/30/08 at 11:26 PM [Reply]
Why can't we find the real reason this "mistake" wasn't reported until Nov. 5. If this doesn't signify coverup, then what the hell does?
#11 hank taylor on 11/23/08 at 09:27 PM [Reply]
If you think there has been only one mistake, then rest asurred, the mistake is yours! Why not sign your name?
#12 Anonymous on 11/24/08 at 10:19 AM [Reply]
I have been in accounting for many years and loosing a deposit for any reason is not acceptable. Does anyone reconcile a bank statement? Or does the person responsible for this have other secrets to hide? I think we should have a complete audit of the tax office. And why can't the tax bills be sent out timely? This has gone on too many years. I voted for a change in this office but not enough other voters saw the light in time.
#13 things just don't make sense on 11/25/08 at 07:48 PM [Reply]
come on people it was just 14,000 dollars don't we all just leave that lying around and wouldn't you wait until you were secured another 4 years before you made it public and aren't you glad that you don't have to pay your taxes just 5 days before christmas that's when they are suppose to be due as for the 14,000 dollars I hope they find it I don't really believe Ms. Ausburn lost it on purpose or did her employees and How do we know she waited until after the election to report it maybe it was reported before and she was told to investigate it first because the sheriff's office hasn't had that great of crime fighting history either. No one we put in office appears to be that great Oh how we forget that we are all human.
#13.1 Banks County Mom on 12/02/08 at 09:07 AM [Reply]
The use of commas and periods is not only allowed, it is encouraged.
#13.1.1 Anonymous on 12/05/08 at 10:27 AM [Reply]
why should this thing be proper with commas and periods you hippocrits are not proper this whole thing is ridiculous you need to get over yourself
#13.1.2 things just don't make sense on 12/05/08 at 06:01 PM [Reply]
because i live in banks county and went to school there do you know that but i do tell you one thing i have more than smarts without having to borrow it oh shoou even without stealing it oh by the way do you have a car on blocks or a washing machine in your yard or even a toilet on your porch i'm not here to impress you by no means get a life.
#14 Anonymous on 12/04/08 at 10:54 AM [Reply]
Does Banks County not have a checks and balances system that is used to make sure the books are correct? Another question, why didn't someone check to make sure the account was credited for the deposit instead of a tax payer having to call and inquire about their check that had not been processed? Heaven help us if our county really becomes lucky and more business comes into the county and there is no one to make sure the books are correct. Ah,heck! It's only $14,000 this time maybe it won't happen again. (Just being sarcastic) $14,000 is a heck of a lot of money to anyone in the county and especially to our county government.
#15 Anonymous on 12/05/08 at 10:12 AM [Reply]
If you stupid judgemental people knew anything about the way things work, you would know that Margaret DOES NOT decide when your taxes are due. She only tries to enforce what the county and state tell her to. There are other people involved with that also so go bitch at them and try to run their name in the ground.
There was NO cover up. Neither she or her staff would steal. Yes, this needs to be resolved but you people need to get off it!!!
The paper shouldn't do this blog crap. It only keeps stuff stirred up, and normally i don't pay this any attention because it is not worthy, but i thought that Margaret should know that there are people out here that appreciate her and all of her hard work and not everyone agrees with these idiots that don't know what they're talking about!!!
#15.1 Davarius on 12/06/08 at 06:27 PM [Reply]
How much did you get paid for writing this response? You are a damn moron if you think the report of the loss one day after the election was not intentional!! I understand the missing money was indicated in July. The election was in November. Just what the hell was going on for those three months in between? You stupid moron, they were looking for it and when they didn't find it, they had to report it to the Sheriff. And what the hell will the sheriff do, cover the crap up, or let the Georgia morons investigating it cover it up!! I'm glad you can afford to have that much money missing!! I live in Banks County where the damn county forces it's citizens to drive OUTSIDE THE DAMN COUNty TO WORK!!!! Morons, pure morons run this damn county!!! By the way does anyone ave some cement blocks for my broken down car?
#15.1.1 Anonymous on 12/08/08 at 07:36 AM [Reply]
You are the moron!!! If you hate living in this county so much...MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You don't have to stay here!!!!!!!!!!!!
#15.2 hank taylor on 12/06/08 at 09:57 PM [Reply]
Listen, I went to school and graduated with Margaret. Personally, I like her. No, she doesn't set the deadline or the due date for taxes. But she knows when the date is. Therefore, it's her job to send the notices out on time. If you're so proud of the way she does her job,sign your name to your letter, or do you go by anonymous? Hank Taylor
#15.3 Banks County Taxpayer on 12/08/08 at 11:32 AM [Reply]
"We need to get off it!" Really??????
THAT WAS OUR MONEY SHE "LOST"!
And we have every right to question her
abilities and to be ticked off.
I really don't give a rats rear end
what kind of person she is. I just want her to do
her job! And if I read the article correctly,
the amount was $14,000. That's a large sum of money.
And if the deposit is never found, exactly who
pays the $14,000 back? You guessed it, us taxpayers!
#16 Anonymous on 12/07/08 at 10:03 AM [Reply]
Mrs. Ausburn is a good person and its a shame that
she is being put down like this. I know a mistake has
been made but we need to wait until the end result
before we judge her or anyone. It seem some people
just want to put her down because they have a grudge
against her or want her out of office. Margaret just
keep your head up and god will help you though these
tuff times for you and your department, and not all people
are on here to down you. I think you have done a good job
and that why I voted for you. May god bless. Your Friend
#16.1 Anonymous on 12/08/08 at 03:50 PM [Reply]
I want to say that i agree with you and that it's nice to know that not everyone jumps to conclusions without knowing the whole story like most of these people writing in have.
#16.2 Incorrect grammar is becoming a serious epidemic in this country.o on 12/12/08 at 04:03 AM [Reply]
In response to #16 anonymous: unless you're a New Kid on the Block you should spell tough the correct way and NEVER spell it tuff!!! And for Pete's sake! Etienne up there in the number one spot also holds number one place for the most incoherent comment of all time! Punctuation clearly does not exist in any of his thoughts or should I say thought seeing as how it all just runs on and on with out one break!
#17 What is going on with Banks County? on 12/07/08 at 08:11 PM [Reply]
Inquiring minds want to know . . .has it "all been cleared up" yet? Losing a large deposit is a big no-no. Why are thy just now reporting it? Obviously they are supposed to check every so often to make sure that things are kosher . . . Geez . . .

I have been to the tax office after the move and was shuffled back and forth between the tax assessor and the other office. Needless to say I had to explain things at least twice before either office understood what I needed. It was a simple request that took too long. Perhaps this is why they can't get things right the first time . . .They dont' have a clue.
#17.1 Anonymous on 12/21/08 at 06:06 PM [Reply]
Tax assessors Ofc.? Dear Lord, Please don't tell me you peeved that lady off.
#18 anonymous on 12/10/08 at 09:02 AM [Reply]
The truth is if this had been a 'regular' citizen involved in such a 'loss' they would have received a short sherrif's dept investgation and then arrested and then left themselves to be bonded out (expensive) and spend much of THEIR OWN time, money to prove it was a mistake and causing all types of relationship issues, probably fired or suspended without pay.

Good thing they have the GBI it keeps every other agency at bay so that whomever 'lost' OUR money will be safe from harm's way.

P.S. Don't forget 'regular' citizen would be considered a thief not a person that just made a mistake. Then the sherrif would be on the front page as the hero. REALITY CHECK PEOPLE!!!!
#19 Everyone is missing the point. on 12/11/08 at 04:42 AM [Reply]
Look, I'm not saying she's a bad person but she
"misplaced" 14,000 dollars! If a cashier at just a
regular job "misplaced" 300 dollars she'd be under serious
scrutiny, investigation and if the money wasn't found more
than likely fired! I break my back everyday and pay my
taxes and she just "misplaces" about half of what I make
in a year. And for those saying "I went to school with her and she's a good person" and "I know her and she'd never do anything
like that": Lucifer was the brightest of all the angels and Judas Iscariot was one Jesus' favorite disciples but it doesn't matter. Look she lost a good bit of money, it doesn't matter how it went missing, it went missing under her watch. So she's responsible. The
people of Banks county didn't lose that money, she did and
someone has to pay that price, I was always taught it
was the person responsible who pays the price. If the
money isn't found she should face criminal charges, after
all she lost OUR money!
#19.1 Anonymous on 12/15/08 at 04:03 PM [Reply]
You sure are being very judgemental for someone who is bringing the Lord into this.
#19.1.1 Keith F. Ray on 12/15/08 at 09:21 PM [Reply]
I personally do not understand the complaints on this blog, for as I understand the article is that a deposit to be made--was not made and the chk was not cashed. Ms. Ashburn made a police report on the discrepancy, as she should have. To me the only ones to really have a true agitation with this matter is the person who wrote the chk., for he/she must now stop payment on said chk, pay the fee for doing so, and then rewrite another. My only hope is that the county reimburses this individual for the cost of the stop payment fee, which is all banks county taxpaying citizens. One finally comment--in my life's experiences, there are only 2 types of people who don't make mistakes----those who do nothing and liars----the rest of are human and humbled by ours.
#19.1.1.1 Anonymous on 12/16/08 at 11:03 AM [Reply]
You are completely right. People don't need to jump to conclusions. Unless they are involved in this investigation, they DO NOT know the whole story or probably even part of the story. It should be left to the officials to check it out.
I work in a public office and know that the majority of payments are paid in checks or credit cards, which would make it very hard for anyone to benefit from stealing it.
#19.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 12/17/08 at 12:39 PM [Reply]
Why don't you tell us the "whole story"?
Some of you are posting this comment as if you know
the entire story from start to finish. So, why don't
you enlighten the rest of us?
#19.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 12/18/08 at 03:04 PM [Reply]
For your info!!!*&^*&%^$&^)&^)*&%!!! i don't know the whole story!!!!!!!
And if i did i surely would not tell it because it is not my place to, nor anyone else's except the proper authorities. I was simply trying to show my support.
If you would have read my comment the way it was intended you would have understood that the point i was making was that people don't need to ASSume that they know the details unless they are involved.
And i don't think you judgemental people could be "enlightened" even if someone tried.
#20 Lou Dobbs on 12/22/08 at 10:23 AM [Reply]
I was just wondering if anyone knows exactly what the process is for producing property tax bills, and what all government entities are responsible in the process for producing those bills?
#21 Nikki Lawson on 01/08/09 at 10:14 PM [Reply]
Bottom line is the money is missing, it was not reported to the tax payers in a timely manner and is under investigation. Each person that had avaiabilty of the monies should under go a lie detector. Being a previous employee of the State of GA in charge of accounting facilites and overseeing a budget that returned over $1,000,0000+ in profit; I would have been put on admin leave if this happened under my watch.
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