Augusta, GA

AU scandal: Former staffer embezzled hundreds of thousands, indictment alleges

Published

2 years ago

April 27, 2024

AU scandal: Former staffer embezzled hundreds of thousands, indictment alleges

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A grand jury indictment accuses a former Augusta University Dental College of Georgia coordinator of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

We combed through pages of payments in the indictment against Dawn Nichole Gantt, which show payments to Airbnb, Carpet Warehouse, Verizon, the Optavia weight-loss system, Nordictrack.com, Hidden Creek HOA, VRBO, Dooney and Burke and multiple payments to Louis Vuitton, totaling close to $10,000, and multiple payments to Delta Air Lines.

The indictment also shows where she made payments to furniture and appliance stores along with several months of payments to more than one car company.

In total, the indictment shows that through her racketeering activity, Gantt acquired and maintained approximately $305,359.54 in personal property.

READ THE INDICTMENT AND ARREST WARRANT:

The indictment says Gantt was hired in July of 2015 as the dean’s office coordinator.

In her role, Gantt maintained sole control over an account and all transaction cards, and checks associated with an account that’s used as the dean’s discretionary fund.

The fund is used to support college faculty, residents, staff and student development by covering the cost of leadership programs, retreats, travel, annual events and related expenditures, according to court records.

Experts say two periodical cicada broods will emerge together this year.

The indictment alleges that Gantt on and between Feb. 16, 2016, and Oct. 6, 2023, did unlawfully through a pattern of racketeering activity, acquire and maintain, directly or indirectly, an interest and control of personal property, contrary to the laws of the state of Georgia.

During the time period covered by the indictment, Gantt is accused of engaging in a scheme to acquire and maintain an interest and control of personal property by using the account to complete unauthorized transactions for the personal benefit of herself and others.

An alligator swims at the Everglades National Park, Fla., April 23, 2012. A group of...

Augusta University says, in a statement to News 12 26,

“Last year, Augusta University concluded a months-long internal investigation of inappropriate disbursements from a dental practice plan bank account that supported the Dental College of Georgia dean’s office. The disbursements were improperly appropriated by an employee in the office who admitted the wrongdoing and who was subsequently terminated from employment. The university’s internal investigation identified gaps in financial oversight processes, and corrective steps have been taken to prevent such actions in the future. The Augusta University Police Department coordinated with and provided investigative assistance to the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Georgia, as the case proceeds under the state’s jurisdiction.”

The grand jury indictment was issued April 16, according to court records.

Gantt is expected to be arraigned May 3 at 9 a.m.

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Augusta, GA

Ga. gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan visits Augusta

Published

9 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Ga. gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan visits Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan hosted a community conversation in Augusta on Friday.

The event at the HUB for Community Innovation was the final stop of a statewide tour highlighting his fight to bring down housing costs.

Duncan heard from local experts in the housing space and discussed how he says he can expand these efforts and lower costs for families as governor.

Duncan is running as a Democrat, but was a Republican when he served as lieutenant governor.

The former professional baseball player is a fierce opponent of Republican President Donald Trump.

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Augusta, GA

Richmond County school board recommendations spark community reaction

Published

21 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Richmond County school board recommendations spark community reaction

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County School Board’s recommendation to close three schools and build a new college and career academy has drawn reaction from across the community.

The board announced its recommendation on Tuesday to close Jenkins White Elementary and transition the T.W. Josey High and Murphy Middle school site into a college and career academy.

Board member Monique Braswell, speaking as an individual and not on behalf of the board, said she opposes the plan despite acknowledging that that schools need to close due to low attendance.

“I will go on to see glory and I will still never accept it. I will never accept the fact that we are displacing children. I will never accept the fact that if T.W. Josey goes away,” Braswell said. “I will take that to the grave with me.”

Braswell said the district needs to examine underlying causes before making changes.

“We need to figure out why the kids are not going to here, there, and there,” she said. “And we need to take the communities and all the alumni along with us on this ride.”

Sheffie Robinson, president of the T.W. Josey High School Alumni Association, said the proposed changes would disrupt an already affected community. According to the presentation, students would be redistributed to Butler, Laney and Richmond Academy.

“So it’s like you disrupt a community that was built around this that has already had significant disruption over the last 30 years,” Robinson said.

We’re taking a bigger look at the Richmond County School System’s plan for several historic schools.

Under the recommendation, the Josey-Murphy site would close and construction of the college and career academy would start after this school year. Jenkins White Elementary School would also close.

Barton Chapel would be demolished, with a new building constructed for fall 2028.

Michael Thurman, who has three children in Richmond County Schools, questioned the district’s financial management.

“They really need to do a better job of being stewards of our money when they keep building left and right, school after school after school, and tearing down the others,” Thurman said.

Thurman said the district’s past spending raises concerns about the current plan.

“They definitely need to also take in mind that you’re just really wasting a lot of money building these buildings,” he said.

The district said alumni and community members will have opportunities to voice their opinions before the board votes. Public meetings are planned for January.

Braswell emphasized the importance of community engagement in the process.

“The public has to be more engaged. I don’t care if people push you away. You just have to stay engaged as the public,” she said.

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Augusta, GA

Another portion of Augusta Canal towpath is reopening to public

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Another portion of Augusta Canal towpath is reopening to public

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Another section of the Augusta Canal towpath is reopening after being closed since Hurricane Helene.

The storm on Sept. 27, 2024, left the path strewn with debris as broken branches hung precarously overhead.

On Friday, the path will reopen between the raw water pump station and the Interstate 20 bridge.

In preparation, crews have made safety improvements along the previously closed section of the trail.

Visitors are asked to observe all posted signs and stay behind safety barriers.

Embankment repairs have been delayed, but will take place in the future.

Once repair work begins, portions of the towpath will be temporarily closed at various times. Advance notice will be shared with the public before any closures.

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