Update: Authorities say DeKalb commissioner will plead guilty to federal charges

Former DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer faces federal charges accusing her of misusing county money and a county card, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Federal prosecutors filed charges today, Aug. 26, against Boyer, 57, who resigned her seat on the DeKalb County Commission on Monday, Aug. 25.

Federal authorities said she is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on Sept. 3 to plead guilty to the charges.

“As an elected County Commissioner, Ms. Boyer had a duty to serve the best interests of the citizens of DeKalb County,” United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a press release from her office.  “Instead of honoring that commitment, Ms. Boyer stole from the citizens she was sworn to serve by diverting thousands of dollars in county funds to her personal bank account and using her county-issued credit card like it was her own.”

Federal authorities accuse Boyer of conspiring to commit mail fraud and of wire fraud, Bob Page, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

Authorities accuse Boyer of paying $78,000 to an consultant, who was not named, who then funneled 75 percent of the money back to her personal bank account, the U.S. Attorney said in the press release.

“From September. 2009 to November 2011, false invoices were submitted to Ms. Boyer’ s office for consulting services purportedly rendered by Advisor…,” the press release says.

“Between September 2009 and November 2011, Advisor deposited more than $58,000 in DeKalb County funds into Ms. Boyer’s personal bank account (while retaining the remainder of the money). In turn, Ms. Boyer used the money deposited into her account to pay personal expenses, including purchases at hotels and high-end department stores.”

Federal authorities say Boyer also made more than 50 purchases, including airline tickets and hotel rooms for personal travel, using her county Visa Purchasing Card. “In total, she made over $15,000 worth of purchases on her P-Card for personal goods and services,” the press release said.

Boyer represented District 1, the northern end of DeKalb, including Dunwoody and portions of Brookhaven. She was the sole Republican on the commission.