TIFTON – Former Charles Spencer Elementary School Principal Tammy Corbin has been charged with using a school credit card to “purchase personal items and pay personal bills,” according to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation press release.

On Feb. 28, the Tifton Police Department asked GBI to investigate misappropriation of funds at Charles Spencer Elementary School, the release states.

An audit conducted by the Tift County School Board found suspicious purchases made on a credit card assigned to the elementary school, according to the release.

The investigation found that Corbin, 49, had used the card to purchase personal items and pay personal bills, charging more than $1500 between July 2017 and January 2018, according to the release.

On Tuesday, June 5, Corbin was arrested for theft by taking (felony) and booked into the Tift County Jail, the release states.

“Allegations of the mishandling of funds at Charles Spencer Elementary School were brought to the attention of the school system earlier this year,” said Stacey Beckham, director of communications for Tift County Public Schools, in a press release. “School officials immediately began an investigation.

“Taxpayers trust us to responsibly handle all money and we take that responsibility very seriously. We had already begun termination proceedings when Tammy Corbin resigned in March.

“School officials have cooperated with law enforcement throughout this investigation and will continue to cooperate until it is fully resolved.”

This story and headline have been updated to reflect that Corbin resigned in March as principal of Charles Spencer Elementary School. It has also been updated with comments from Tift County Public Schools.