Ex-General Manager of Atkinson Co. Trailer Company Charged With $600K Theft
WILLACOOCHEE, GA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reports that the former general manager of a trailer firm in Willachoochee has been detained on suspicion of crimes related to the company.
Valdosta resident Brandi Hammond, 38, is charged with eight counts of theft by taking and one count of financial transaction card fraud.
“On Friday, July 7th, 2023, the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate allegations of theft by an employee of Freedom Trailers,” the GBI reports.
Following an inquiry into her employment at Freedom Trailers, LLC, she was taken into custody on Thursday, April 25 by the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI. It has been reported by a GBI forensic accountant that Hammond stole more than $600,000 using a variety of techniques.
Hammond’s termination was verified by the company. The GBI claims that she served as the company’s general manager and chief financial officer.
Atkinson County Jail is where Hammond is being held at the moment.
Freedom Trailers’ legal representative released a statement on the event on the company’s behalf.
“We express our sincere gratitude to every law enforcement agency that is persistently pursuing this case. They are putting a lot of effort into their task. Although Brandi Hammond must be brought to justice, she is not by herself.
Other individuals and businesses in the enclosed trailer industry that are not of good character helped, encouraged, and motivated her; this case will hopefully throw some light on this issue. Manufacturers of enclosed trailers need licenses, and the business needs regulation badly.
In this country, enclosed trailer producers are not required to obtain a license, in contrast to recreational vehicles, cars, or any other type of vehicle used on public roads. Along with posing a risk to public safety on the roadways, it fosters the kind of wrongdoing, fraud, and criminal activities that we have seen in Ms. Hammond and the individuals and businesses she colluded with. There is still work to be done.
Jason Ferguson, General Counsel of Freedom Trailers
The case file will be sent to the prosecuting attorney’s office for the Alapaha Judicial Circuit after the investigation is finished.
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