Fired Chocowinity town clerk indicted in embezzlement investigation

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CHOCOWINITY, N.C. (WITN) - A grand jury has indicted a former Chocowinity town clerk on embezzlement charges.

Court records show Lauren Hoggard was indicted and arrested Tuesday on three counts of embezzlement by a public officer or trustee.

According to the indictment, Hoggard embezzled up to $100,000 from the town while serving as clerk from 2022 to 2024. Her Superior Court date will be set later.

The grand jury returned true bills of indictment, finding enough evidence to push the charges to court. That does not mean Hoggard is guilty.

WITN learned Hoggard was fired on August 21, 2024. She replaced Joy McRoy in July 2022 after McRoy was also let go.

McRoy was previously indicted on accusations of embezzling more than half a million dollars from the town over seven years.

Hoggard has posted a $135,000 secured bond.