Morven's Town Council has made a yearly donation to the town's fire department.
This year, they wrote a $500 check.
Town leaders told Channel 9 anchor Blair Miller they thought that money would go into the fire department's general fund.
Channel 9 couldn't find it anywhere in bank records and no one else could say where that money ended up.
Because of that, the town will wait to give any more money to the fire department pending the outcome of an SBI investigation.
That, along with questions about the use of gas by Morven Fire Chief Mark Holloway prompted an SBI investigation focused on allegations of embezzlement of funds from the Morven Fire Department and some town council members including Theodore Carr told Miller hey want answers.
9 Investigates allegations of embezzlement by local fire chief
“We're going to find out. It will be resolved,” said Carr.
When Channel 9 started investigating in April, it made numerous requests to see all of the fire department's financial records.
After months of no answers, the Anson County Commission, which gives tens of thousands of dollars in public money to the Morven Fire Department each year, stepped in.
Now a 9 Investigation has the county investigating as well to see how tax money from the county is spent by Morven’s Volunteer Fire Department.
The county has also decided to oversee financial records for all volunteer fire departments in the county to ensure that money is accounted for.
Channel 9 also learned more about Holloway's role with other government agencies.
He works for the North Carolina Department of Transportation where a spokesperson confirmed "a written warning was issued to Mr. Holloway for using a state vehicle for personal use."
He's also the mayor of McFarlan, a small town in Anson County.
In handwritten notes from town meetings, Channel 9 found Holloway had asked for an advance in his mayor's salary, asking to be paid through December.
It's not clear how much money or why he asked for it.
And then there's a bucket truck owned by the town of McFarlan.
Several residents in Anson County told Channel 9 the truck has been used outside town limits on jobs not related to town business.
Channel 9 found the vehicle sitting in Holloway's yard.
When asked why it’s not at McFarlan town hall, town councilman Jim Freeman said, “I don’t know. You would have to ask Mark.”
So Channel 9 tried.
“Can I have a second with you’re and talk about some things?” Miller asked Holloway.
“No comment,” Holloway said.
In addition to the Morven Fire Department money, Miller wanted to ask Holloway why he requested an advance on his mayor's salary, why that city truck sits in his yard and not at town hall.
“When can I sit down and talk to you?” Miller asked.
Holloway shut the door behind him without answering.
Channel 9 finally received documents that officials said were all financial documents from the Morven Fire Department. There is no evidence of the $500 donation from the town of Morven.
Channel 9 continues to ask where it went and how it was spent and will provide updates on what the state decides in its investigation.
This year, they wrote a $500 check.
Town leaders told Channel 9 anchor Blair Miller they thought that money would go into the fire department's general fund.
Channel 9 couldn't find it anywhere in bank records and no one else could say where that money ended up.
Because of that, the town will wait to give any more money to the fire department pending the outcome of an SBI investigation.
That, along with questions about the use of gas by Morven Fire Chief Mark Holloway prompted an SBI investigation focused on allegations of embezzlement of funds from the Morven Fire Department and some town council members including Theodore Carr told Miller hey want answers.
9 Investigates allegations of embezzlement by local fire chief
“We're going to find out. It will be resolved,” said Carr.
When Channel 9 started investigating in April, it made numerous requests to see all of the fire department's financial records.
After months of no answers, the Anson County Commission, which gives tens of thousands of dollars in public money to the Morven Fire Department each year, stepped in.
Now a 9 Investigation has the county investigating as well to see how tax money from the county is spent by Morven’s Volunteer Fire Department.
The county has also decided to oversee financial records for all volunteer fire departments in the county to ensure that money is accounted for.
Channel 9 also learned more about Holloway's role with other government agencies.
He works for the North Carolina Department of Transportation where a spokesperson confirmed "a written warning was issued to Mr. Holloway for using a state vehicle for personal use."
He's also the mayor of McFarlan, a small town in Anson County.
In handwritten notes from town meetings, Channel 9 found Holloway had asked for an advance in his mayor's salary, asking to be paid through December.
It's not clear how much money or why he asked for it.
And then there's a bucket truck owned by the town of McFarlan.
Several residents in Anson County told Channel 9 the truck has been used outside town limits on jobs not related to town business.
Channel 9 found the vehicle sitting in Holloway's yard.
When asked why it’s not at McFarlan town hall, town councilman Jim Freeman said, “I don’t know. You would have to ask Mark.”
So Channel 9 tried.
“Can I have a second with you’re and talk about some things?” Miller asked Holloway.
“No comment,” Holloway said.
In addition to the Morven Fire Department money, Miller wanted to ask Holloway why he requested an advance on his mayor's salary, why that city truck sits in his yard and not at town hall.
“When can I sit down and talk to you?” Miller asked.
Holloway shut the door behind him without answering.
Channel 9 finally received documents that officials said were all financial documents from the Morven Fire Department. There is no evidence of the $500 donation from the town of Morven.
Channel 9 continues to ask where it went and how it was spent and will provide updates on what the state decides in its investigation.
WSOC
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