|
Updated: 9:55 AM Aug 6, 2008
Prosecutor Asks State To Probe Chowan County Finances
A prosecutor has asked state investigators to look into the budget problems for possible criminal misconduct.
Posted: 5:48 AM Aug 5, 2008Reporter: Heather King |
|
27 Comments 
A prosecutor has asked state investigators to look into the budget problems in a northeastern North Carolina county for possible criminal misconduct.
The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported Wednesday that District Attorney Frank Parrish said he asked for help from the State Bureau of Investigation's Financial Crimes Unit.
Chowan County's reserves dropped in recent years from more than $20 million to $3.4 million in June of last year. The commission says the reserve had dropped to $723,000 by June 30 of this year.
Retired county manager Cliff Copeland said the reserve funds were borrowed internally and are still on the county's books as assets.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
ORIGINAL STORY
What happened to $20 million in Chowan County's reserve account? No one knows right now, and that's prompting a criminal investigation.
In the county seat of Edenton Monday night, the Chowan County Board of Commissioners gave the board's attorney the green light to look for evidence of a crime. That's according to the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk.
Last week it was reported that more than $20 million in reserve funds are gone but only one instance was documented of money being taken from the accounts.
The paper says Chowan County Manager Peter Rascoe said Monday night that the county does not have the money to pay its bills, leaving it $262,000 in debt. Chowan County commissioners plan to
consider four ways to deal with the county's $4.1 million budget
shortfall.
Latest Comments
Ok people, something definitely is not right here. FIRE EVERYBODY! and start new. Ya know, this happens in many town, people just don't find out about it. I agree with the chown county property owner, there are alot of honest decent people who would love a good job, but yet the dis-honest are the ones who get them. Next, we should be checking all these other towns in Carolina. I bet theres some dirt there nobody knows about:)
Wipe the slate clean. New people for every position (including the finance officer, county commissioners, etc). I guarantee that there are great, upstanding, honest, hard working residents in Chowan County that would be happy to hold these fiduciary positions for decent salaries...
This is a really big mess in Chowan. And it is a real shame that it seems that innocent people are going to have to pay the price for something they had no hand in. In my surfing of the net, I found a forum online. If anyone is interested in venting, this may be the place to visit. http://eastnc.craigslist.org/pol/786609934.html
| Most Commented |
| Second "Cool School" Stop Revealed 435 Comments |
| NEW INFO: Four Charged With Several Fast Food Armed Robberies 349 Comments |
| Nation's Unemployment Drops To 8.3% 236 Comments |
| Santorum Sweeps Three States As Romney Stalls 232 Comments |
| ECU Student Survives Attack, Parents Murdered 196 Comments |
| Court Says Fired Trooper Seen Kicking His K-9 Should Get Job Back 182 Comments |
Click one of the pictures below to see more or to upload your own photos and videos.
 |
CarSoup
Search inventory from local dealers and private sellers. |
 |
|
 |
Rental Guide
Video tours to help you find your next apartment. |
|
|
 |
Double Dollar Deals
Save 50% from local merchants. |
|
|
 |
Classifieds
THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free. |
|
|
 |
Experts
Got a question? Ask Eastern Carolina's Experts. |
|
|
 |
Health Matters Keeping you and your family healthy. |
|
|
 |
MomsEveryday.com Making Mom's Life Easier in Eastern Carolina. |
|
|
 |
Business Break
Two minutes of info from local businesses. |
|
|
