Embezzlement, a New Beaufort County Fad | Eastern NC Now

Embezzlement, a New Beaufort County Fad

BY: HOOD RICHARDSON

One of the definitions of “embezzlement” is to appropriate the property of others to personal use without the owner’s approval. “Fraud” is deceit and trickery. Both are illegal as set out in the law. Even though a prison term is the appropriate punishment, a lot of people are willing to take the risk of fraud and embezzlement convictions to enrich themselves.

Beaufort County governments seem to have a lot of it. We had the Joy McRoy embezzlement. That issue is still playing out even though the bonding companies have reportedly paid. Court documents look like more than $750,000 may have been stolen. The bonding company paid the Chocowinity Fire Department $250,000. Was that the maximum amount of the bond, was more owed? We do not know the amount paid to the Town of Chocowinity as of this writing.

It looks like Joy McRoy is dragging this case out in hopes of not serving time in prison or maybe getting a reduced sentence if the right judge can be lined up.

Another indictment came down this week when Lauren Ashley Hoggard, a former employee of the Town of Chocowinity was charged with embezzlement of about $100,000. Lightning does strike twice in the same place.

This week Terry Draper got charged with embezzling more than 200,000 dollars from the Pinetown Fire Department.

Within the past two or three years there have been problems with the misuse of funds regarding at least one other fire department. There have been problems with officials handling county money in Belhaven.

It has been difficult for me to get information about these charges. It seems that all the top dogs on the Beaufort County payroll clam up when I have asked questions. Two county attorneys stonewall when I ask questions. Our former county manager gave strong opposition to my inquiries. He claimed that Beaufort County had nothing to do with the Joy McRoy issue. We do have something to do with it because Beaufort County collects a fire tax on all property in the Chocowinity Fire District and gives it to the Chocowinity Fire Department. Beaufort County collects a separate fire tax on every property in the County, real and personal, for all the fire departments. Beaufort County Commissioners have a fiduciary duty to protect that money and see to it that it is used properly. Maybe the new board coming in December will take a different view of fraud and embezzlement.

I complained for years that I was getting complaints about various thefts from the Chocowinity Fire Department. Every time I made motions for forensic audits, Commissioners voted me down.

The majority of the Board of Beaufort County Commissioners, with the consent and advice of staff has voted to not require audits and to refuse to provide oversight to not just the fire departments but all other agencies that receive taxpayer money. Any elected official who suspects fraud and embezzlement has a duty to investigate. Commissioners’ most important job is to handle your money.

No one can steal unless the property owner trusts the thief. The catalyst for these thefts was introduced by the Beaufort County Commissioners with the blessing of our hired staff. If potential thieves know Beaufort County is not watching, it is an invitation to steal. How much more is out there that we do not know about. Secrecy and hush-hush is also a contributor.