Clarence “Dean” Alford was indicted on Tuesday, May 4 in the Rockdale County Superior Court for one count racketeering, one count criminal attempt, one count computer forgery, and five counts forgery in the second degree.
Alford is no stranger to Washington County; he served as spokesperson for Plant Washington, the proposed coal-fired power plant.
“Acts of fraud and corruption have no place in Georgia’s state government,” said Deputy Attorney General for the Prosecution Division John Fowler. “Those who are trusted to be public servants must discharge their duties ethically and honestly, and when they do not, this office and our law enforcement partners will hold them accountable.”
Alford is alleged to have exploited a common industry practice referred to in the financial services sector as “factoring.” Factoring is a financial transaction in which a business may sell its accounts receivable to a third party at a discount. The goal of Alford’s alleged scheme was to obtain approximately $1.7 million by selling fake accounts receivable invoices valued at approximately $2.2 million. As part of his scheme, Alford allegedly created fake invoices, contracts, and other documents to show that his company was owed money from state agencies. He also allegedly forged the signatures of state employees on those contracts and other documents. Alford was, at the time, a member of the State Board of Regents, and he used that position to further his fraud schemes. The Board of Regents is the body with the responsibility of overseeing the University System of Georgia. Alford resigned from the Board of Regents in October of 2019.
These crimes are punishable as follows:
– Racketeering: 5-20 years, and/or fine up to $25,000
– Criminal Attempt (to commit theft by taking of value exceeding $25,000): 1-10 years and/or fine up to $50,000
– Computer Forgery: 1-15 years, and/or fine up to $50,000
– Forgery in the Second Degree: 1-5 years and fine up to $100,000
This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s Public Integrity and White Collar Crimes Section and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The University System of Georgia and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement assisted in this joint investigation.