Smyrna’s former human resources director was sentenced to a year in prison and 15 years on probation after pleading guilty of using city credit cards for personal use on Monday.
The Cobb County Superior Court judge also ordered Chris Corey to pay back $121,000.
Corey was hired by the city in July 1994 as a personnel officer and became the director of human resources and risk management in 1998. He was fired by the city in February 2009 for allegedly improperly utilizing a city purchasing card.
He was arrested in June of that year on a warrant that listed unauthorized gift card buys totaling more than $14,000.
Speaking on behalf of the city, Smyrna Community Relations Director Jennifer Bennett said, “Our interest and duty in the process on behalf for the taxpayers has been for restitution. We have full confidence in the legal process and are in agreement with seeking full restitution.’’
At the time of his arrest, a Smyrna Police Department spokesman said Corey used city credit cards to buy gift cards that he would then use for personal gain, including health club memberships, car repair, and to pay bills.
Corey purchased the gift cards at places such as Target, Longhorn Steakhouse and the post office. At the time, city officials said they had no way to figure out how the gift cards were being used but have since closed a loophole allowing such purchases.
After he was relieved of his duties in Smyrna, the Rockdale County human resources department hired Corey, but fired him following his arrest.
