Former Girl Scout leader charged with stealing cookie money
Dothan police arrested a former Girl Scout troop leader over the weekend and charged her with stealing $2,026, which was Girl Scout cookie money.
Court records show police investigators arrested Lisha Simone Ginn, 31, of Tazwell Court, on Saturday and charged her with felony second-degree theft of property. Records show she was charged with stealing the money on June 29. A police investigator took the warrant out for her arrest on July 7.
Molly Smart, the spokesperson for the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama, said Ginn was dismissed as the leader for Dothan Girl Scout Troop 9750. Smart said the troop has a new leader.
“What happened was she didn’t pay the cookie money for the troop,” Smart said.
Smart said normally a troop would raise money through cookie sales, turn it in to the Girl Scouts of Alabama and then the Girl Scouts of Alabama would give back money to the troop for their planned events.
Smart said officials with the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama tried to contact Ginn about the missing money, sent her letters and after 90 days they filed a police report. She said some of the missing money also included other troop funds.
Smart said the Dothan Girl Scout troop planned to use the money from cookie sales for a tea party, the purchase of patches and to pay for the cost of upcoming troop events. She said officials with the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama used money from their accounts so the girls could still have their tea party. But she said the troop has not received their money for the patches or the funds toward upcoming events.
“It’s an unusual situation,” Smart said. “Most of the time we have good leaders that turn in their money.”
Dothan City Jail records show Ginn worked for the Dothan City Schools system at the time of her arrest. Sam Nichols, the superintendent of Dothan City Schools, said Ginn was hired on Aug. 18 to work as a family services worker at the Headstart Preschool Center.
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Reader Reactions
By george it’s because she is black. if this had been a white person ya’ll would not be crucifying her. She has been held back by the white society we live in and had to commit this act because she was backed in a corner by society she had no choice. NOW if you believe that you are a TRUE democrat stand up an pat yourself on the back 
To commentaccount5: I beg to differ. People make mistakes everyday and though its not excusable we are not in a position to crucify. I have know this person half my life (fyi), grown up with her and the fact remains that people indeed mess up. Maybe it took this event for eyes to be opened, nevertheless I am in no position to point fingers.
To BusyMom: I am very close to this situation. Let’s just say that there is no mistake. She’s admitted the money is “gone”. She did it and everyone close to the situation knows. She was given 90 days to set up a payment plan and wouldn’t even do that. She is completely GUILTY and doesn’t deserve anyone’s sympathy!
To glover2004: If you did know the “full extent of what really happened” it would be even worse stuff than what you read in the news article. Your sentiments are seriously misplaced on this person.
We clearly don’t know the full extent of what really happened. We are not judges nor is it our place to judge. If the shoe were on our foot maybe the need to expose and make nasty remarks would be diminished. Just keep her and her family in our prayers.
Have met this lady and she comes across very nice and educated and a great parent to her children. I’m wondering if there is more to the story than is being reported at this time, how do we know that she is guilty—has this case gone to trial already and she’s been convicted? My hope is that there is a reasonable explanation for this (as in she mailed the money in and it got lost but wow, it’s suddenly discovered)—I hope there is a happy end to this story as I would never condone stealing but this seems very out of character from the person I’ve met.
She’s a thief, plain and simple, and thieves belong in prison.
I see a serious problem here with her date of hire by Dothan City Schools. Sure she may be having some problems, we all go through them…but maybe it’s not the best time to hire her to work with small children and family services. Sounds like she may need some family services of her own. And there is no circumstance that makes it ok to take money from those girls who worked to sell those cookies on behalf of their troop! I hate the thought of what must be going through the girls’ minds as they wonder if they are going to get their badges after they worked to earn them]...
I personally am VERY familiar with the Girl Scouts and cookies. We have been an active participant with them for more than six years. I have personally served as a leader in the past and my family donates to the United Way on the Girl Scouts behalf. First, this type of thing happens more common than people realize. Secondly, there are several opportunities to fix an issue like this. It sounds like she took no action and this is what happens. However, she should have been making frequent deposits. The leaders are given several dep. slips and are told to make several deposits.
Dickersondiva—She stole money from her Girl Scout troop. What “full story” might mitigate that? And, no, she is not of “high intelligence;“ this act proves it. The Scouts gave her 90 days with letters sent regarding the missing $$$. If it was simply a “mistake” she had ample time to correct it.
She had a job at the time of her arrest—if it didn’t pay enough then she needed to get a better one or another one. Not steal from little girls! Her kids might be well-adjusted now but wait til the other kids start ripping them about their thief of a mother.
I also know this person. She is really good at making people think she is what she wants you to believe. But I know how she really is. Get a clue! This is not a case of one bad decision. There is NEVER an excuse for stealing from little girls!!!!!
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