A Woman from Georgia Faces Charges for Fabricating a Pregnancy to Obtain Paid Leave

Robin Folsom's deceitful actions have landed her in hot water after she concocted an elaborate scheme to fake pregnancies and secure paid time off from her job in Georgia. Folsom, who held the position of director of external affairs at the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), managed to deceive her employer by fabricating pregnancies and births, ultimately leading to criminal charges against her.

The sequence of events unfolded when Folsom notified her employer of her alleged pregnancy towards the end of 2020, asserting that she had delivered a child in May 2021.However, her colleagues grew suspicious when inconsistencies arose in her story. One colleague observed that Folsom's "baby bump" appeared askew, and further investigation revealed that the photos she sent of her purported children were inconsistent, depicting infants with varying skin tones.

Upon closer scrutiny, Folsom's ruse began to unravel. Her colleagues and human resources personnel at GVRA pieced together the inconsistencies, prompting an investigation by the Georgia Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The investigation uncovered a web of lies spun by Folsom, including the creation of a fictitious father named Bran Otmembebwe, who allegedly emailed GVRA leaders claiming that Folsom's doctor had mandated several weeks of rest following the birth. As a result, Folsom received seven weeks of paid leave that she would not have otherwise been entitled to.

However, further inquiries revealed that Bran Otmembebwe did not exist, leading to additional charges of identity fraud against Folsom. It was also discovered that this was not the first time Folsom had deceived her employer in such a manner. She had previously claimed to have given birth in July 2020, and shortly after the alleged birth in May 2021, she informed her employers of yet another pregnancy.

The inquiry further revealed the absence of any documentation supporting Folsom's alleged childbirth, despite her persistent assertions. This led to her voluntary resignation from her role in October 2021 amid increasing scrutiny. Shortly thereafter, a grand jury indicted her on February 10, 2022, with three counts of making false statements and one count of identity fraud.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of fraudulent behavior, particularly by state employees. Attorney General Chris Carr emphasized that fraud by state employees would not be tolerated, and the collaboration between the Office of the Inspector General and law enforcement agencies resulted in uncovering and investigating Folsom's alleged deception.

Folsom's actions not only undermined the integrity of her position but also betrayed the trust of her colleagues and the taxpayers she served. As the legal proceedings unfold, she faces the possibility of spending up to 25 years in prison and paying substantial fines if found guilty.