(The Center Square) — Atlanta’s former chief financial officer was sentenced to prison after admitting that he stole tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to fund his lavish lifestyle, using the money to pay for trips and buy custom-built machine guns.
U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones sentenced Jimmie “Jim” A. Beard, 60, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to three years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Beard was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $177,197.48 in restitution.
Beard, indicted in September 2020, was the city’s chief financial officer from about November 2011 to May 2018. He pleaded guilty on April 8 to theft of government funds and obstructing federal tax laws.
“Jim Beard abused the trust and confidence placed in him by the people of the City of Atlanta when he decided to steal tens of thousands of dollars from taxpayers to support his lavish lifestyle,” U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said in an announcement. “Beard’s sentencing is a demonstration of our commitment to hold accountable public officials who trade their position of power for greed and personal gain.”