BURKE COUNTY, Ga. () – Susan Jennifer Perez Godbee Wimberly, who works at CMS—a manufacturing company with its roots in Italy and active operations in Burke County—was arrested along with her husband, Michael Wimberly, by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office. They are implicated in a sophisticated embezzlement operation that spanned several years.
Leading the investigation, Lieutenant Heather Sims revealed that Susan Wimberly had embezzled over $620,000 from the company over a period of four years.
The investigation involved an intensive process, including numerous subpoenas, search warrants, and administrative requests. Lt. Sims discovered that the stolen money was cleverly used to illegally obtain vehicles, farming machinery, and even a local dining establishment.
Given the size and intricacy of the operation, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office sought the expertise of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assist with processing evidence and providing support throughout the probe.
Both Susan and Michael Wimberly face charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and are currently detained at the Burke County Detention Center.
Additional federal charges are expected as the investigation continues.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office notes that this case represents a significant moment in their history, marking the first RICO charge ever filed by the agency and the largest recorded financial theft in a single case.
The investigation remains active, and further updates will be as they become available.
