GCPD charge Monroe woman for allegedly altering checks and stealing $400,000 plus from employer

Woman is alleged to have altered her salary checks and vendors invoices and payments

(Peachtree Corners Ga., Dec. 18, 2024) – The Gwinnett County Police Department’s announced that its Electronic and Financial Crimes Unit has obtained several warrants for Melissa Dowd, 58, of Monroe, after her employer allegedly discovered that she stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the business.

Melissa Dowd

In a press release, GCPD report that it was initially contacted in April after Dowd’s former employer filed a police report about the theft. According to the employer, Dowd would submit false invoices for various vendors. Once the payments were authorized, Dowd would alter the checks meant for the vendors and list herself as the payee. She allegedly did this over 190 times and stole over $400,000 through the forged checks.

Additionally, it is reported that Dowd was able to alter her paycheck to double her salary by using her access to the payroll software for the company to hide the money and alter her W-2 each year to avoid paying taxes on the stolen funds.  Investigators were able to follow up with the employer and track some of the funds.  Those investigators obtained several warrants for Dowd, including computer theft, computer forgery, thefy by taking, and forgery in the 3^rd degree.  Dowd was arrested on December 17 and is currently in the Gwinnett County Jail.

This investigation is still ongoing.  If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD detectives at 770.513.5300.  To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404.577.TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com.  Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. 

Editor’s Note: Please note an arrest or charge does not constitute a conviction