A local business owner is pressing charges against a former employee that allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars — and possibly more — from Dexter Evans Construction Service over 19 years.

On March 4, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Dexter Evans Construction Service, located at 2144 Hamilton Road, regarding a criminal trespass complaint. The victim in the case stated to deputies that he had recently terminated Stari Harrison, 60, after he discovered she had been taking thousands of dollars from the company.

According to the press release, Harrison was responsible for all accounting for the business.

The victim provided police with bank records, which showed every week or every other week where Harrison would write herself checks outside of payroll. The amounts varied from $300 to almost $900 each time. In 2016 the amount taken was $16,272.24; in 2017 the amount was $28,199.55; in 2018 the amount was $34,846.22; and in 2019 the total amount was $2,750.36.

Warrants for theft by taking (felony) for each year have been issued so far, according to the press release. The investigation is still ongoing.