MGA humanities dean resigns after federal wire fraud conviction

The former dean of Middle Georgia State University’s School of Arts and Letters will report to prison later this month after being sentenced to more than a year for stealing at least $145,000 from a university in Virginia.

Billy Wooten, who was hired by the Macon-based public university in August 2024, was found guilty of wire fraud and sentenced to 366 days in prison on May 1 by a federal court in Virginia, according to court documents.

Wooten resigned from his Middle Georgia State role on May 20, a university spokesperson wrote in an email. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Sheree Keith, an associate dean and professor of communication studies.

The court documents do not name the Virginia university, but according to his LinkedIn profile, Wooten previously worked as dean of engaged learning at Averett University, a private university in Danville, Virginia, from 2018-2023. Prior to this role, he worked in academic and administrative roles at Berea College, a private institution in Kentucky, from 2002-2018.

Court documents say Wooten charged personal expenses to a university credit card and submitted invoices for purchases such as groceries and home improvement supplies beginning in February 2023 and continuing through November 2023.

That same year, he was also flagged for buying $17,000 worth of sports memorabilia from a vendor in Maine and charging the Virginia university around $6,000 for reimbursement, claiming it was for a local cause.

“A review of Dr. Wooten’s activities at Middle Georgia State University revealed no discrepancies or irregularities,” the spokesperson noted.