Complaint accuses Town of Belhaven, former police chief of retaliation

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BELHAVEN, N.C. (WITN) - A complaint filed this spring is adding another layer to the dispute between leaders of a Belhaven nonprofit and town leadership.

Filed in March on behalf of Tiffany and William Stokes, it claims the two were retaliated against by the Town of Belhaven and former police chief Wesley Waters.

The Stokes are board members for the town’s Boys and Girls Club.

WITN spoke with them last year about accusations they made against Belhaven’s mayor for improperly using the nonprofit’s funds while he was a Boys And Girls Club board member.

In the complaint, William says he presented those concerns during a public comment period at a town meeting that same month.

Afterward, the complaint alleges, Wesley Waters, who was police chief at the time, came to the Stokes’ home and said he would investigate and forward fraud findings to the proper authorities.

However, the next month, the Stokes say Belhaven police officers initiated a traffic stop of the Stokes’ vehicle at night. When the Stokes asked why, they say none was given, and they were released without being cited.

In January, the Stokes say they met with Waters and a town council member to address what they felt were concerns of targeting and retaliation.

During that meeting, the complaint says Waters referenced an outstanding failure to appear warrant related to a traffic matter for William Stokes.

Later, during a February town council meeting, the complaint says Waters displayed an arrest warrant for William to a sitting council member, according to court records.

The filing says the Stokes felt that was motivated by retaliation for the Stokes’ protected political speech and civic participation.

They are asking for related relief as allowed by law.

WITN has reached out to the town for comment.