WALTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Georgia school board member is facing charges after investigators said she stole $24,000 through a conservatorship set up in another person's name.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday that agents have arrested 33-year-old Simoan Baker from Monroe. Baker is the vice chair and District 1 school board representative for the Walton County School District.
She is facing a felony count of theft by conversion, according to the GBI.
Baker turned herself into the Walton County Jail on Aug. 20 in connection with a misconduct investigation, authorities said.
GBI said the Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office asked the agency to step in after Baker was suspected of criminal misconduct.
Investigators said Baker stole more than $24,000 from a conservatorship set up in another person's name from November 2020 through November 2021.
A conservatorship is a way for someone to assume legal guardianship over an adult, typically reserved for people who have lost the ability to make informed decisions or care for themselves.
Authorities are continuing to investigate Baker's case. Once they wrap up their findings the GBI will turn over the case file to the district attorney's office.
When approached for comment, a spokesperson with the Walton County school district said leaders have been made aware of the allegations and addressed it as a personal matter.
"The charges do not involve the Walton County School District or Walton County Board of Education," a spokesperson said.
