Former Ringgold court clerk pleads guilty to theft, sentenced to 20 years probation and a day in jail
A former Ringgold court clerk, arrested in 2015 for allegedly stealing city funds, pleaded guilty to theft charges Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 23, in Catoosa County Superior Court.
Tracy Alan Bass, 54, of Fort Oglethorpe was sentenced to 20 years probation, but will only have to spend one day in jail.
Bass was Ringgold’s court clerk for years before being arrested Dec. 8, 2015, on charges of theft, computer forgery, tampering with evidence, and interference with government property.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) determined that Bass, who handled city payments for tickets, fines and court fees, allegedly altered payment records in the city’s computer system and then skimmed thousands of dollars in the process over a more than two-year period. He even attempted to shred documents in his office after being questioned by GBI agents the day before is arrest, officials said.
Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 23, Bass pleaded guilty to the charges, followed by Judge Don Thompson sentencing him to 20 years probation, restitution fees, and 24 hours jail time.
The court heard testimony from a GBI agent, Ringgold’s city manager, as well as from Bass and his wife before the sentence was imposed.
The sentence includes Bass paying $61,398.75 in restitution, $36,000 of which must be paid back within 90 days.
Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Alan Norton says Bass entered his plea back in March.
“He (Bass) pleaded guilty March 1 and that was done without recommendation, meaning the state did not offer Mr. Bass any type of deal,” Norton said.
As far as Bass’ minor jail time goes, he was ordered to serve his 24-hour jail sentence sometime within the next 14 days.