BURKE COUNTY, Ga. () – The Burke County Sheriff’s Office arrested Susan Jennifer Perez Godbee Wimberly, an employee of CMS, a local manufacturing company based in Italy with operations in Burke County, and her husband, Michael Wimberly, in connection with a complex, years-long embezzlement scheme.

Lieutenant Heather Sims led the investigation, which uncovered that over a four-year span, Susan Wimberly embezzled more than $620,000 from the company.

Through an exhaustive process involving dozens of subpoenas, search warrants, and administrative requests, authorities say Lt. Sims uncovered a sophisticated financial scheme in which the stolen funds were used to fraudulently acquire vehicles, farming equipment, and even a local restaurant.

Recognizing the scope and complexity of the case, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office enlisted the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to aid in processing evidence and supporting the ongoing investigation.

Susan and Michael Wimberly have both been charged with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and committed to the Burke County Detention Center.

Additional federal charges are expected as the investigation continues.

BCSO says this case marks a historic milestone for the Burke County Sheriff’s Office — the first RICO charge ever filed in the agency’s history and the largest known financial loss in a single case.

The investigation remains active, and further updates will be as they become available.