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Andrea Hammond pleads not guilty
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Andrea Hammond, Newton County Home Builders Association former executive officer, entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday on charges that she stole from the company.

The 42-year-old was initially charged with 98 counts of theft by conversion, a misdemeanor. The charges stemmed from purchases made with a Newton County Home Builders Association credit card. She was reportedly allowed to use the card to purchase items for the association, but according to Covington Police Lt. Paul Dailey, she used the card to purchase items for herself. There were reportedly several thousand dollars of purchases, including dog treats, workout clothes and haircuts, over four-and-a-half years, according to Dailey.

Charges were dropped from 98 misdemeanor counts to one felony count of identity fraud, which could carry up to 10 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines for a first offense, according to Georgia law.

Hammond will return to court on May 31.