Tim Newman case to be continued

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A DWI case against the former head of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority was continued on Monday.

In May, Newman was charged with DWI and hit and run after a trooper said Newman hit a woman who was driving on I-77 and then took off.

Since resigning from the CRVA in February, Tim Newman has received more than $136,000 in payments that break down to nearly $20,000 a month, including a monthly car allowance.

As Newman walked into Mecklenburg County Courthouse, Eyewitness News asked, "What do you have to say to taxpayers about receiving $20,000 a month?"

"It's good to see you," Newman said, not responding when asked about the DWI charges afterwards.

The CRVA's attorney, Cameron Furr, said according to his interpretation of public records laws, the CRVA can only reveal what Newman has been paid, not what they've agreed to pay him in the future or for how long.

But WSOC's attorney said all forms of compensation, even future payments, must be disclosed according to a 2010 statute.

On Monday, city leaders said they've been asking questions and are surprised to hear the payments have continued. Newman's most recent paycheck was dated Sept. 14.

Some said they need answers and want CRVA to produce them before they have to demand them.

"I hope that their board will and I hope that their management will before we have to ask them to do it. I hope they will," said Michael Barnes, city councilmember.

"How much longer does this have to go on?" Eyewitness News asked city councilmember Claire Fallon.

"That's what I'd like to know," Fallon said, "and I don't know because no one's answering us."

WSOC