Embezzlement is a type of financial fraud involving a person who abuses a relationship of trust and confidence between him and another person for the intent of procuring property or money belonging to the other party. It can include offenses ranging from an employee taking cash out of the register, to a letter carrier stealing mail, to a financial officer misappropriating client funds. In Georgia, this offense is criminalized as Employment Theft, with penalties ranging from 3-25 years depending on the proven loss.

Consequences for a conviction on the charge of employment theft include:

• Long-term imprisonment
• Probation or parole
• Loss of the right to be bonded, which has consequences for employment
• Loss of professional licensing
• Payment of restitution to the victims
• Mandatory counseling
• Significant fines above and beyond restitution
• Other

Defenses of employment-related theft potentially include:

• Showing insufficient evidence
• Proving factual innocence
• Proving accused is the true owner of property in question
• Proving the actions were perceived as being consistent with relationship
• Other