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SBI investigates possible embezzlement at businesses owned by Norwood commissioner

By Liz Foster
By Liz Foster

NORWOOD, N.C. — The State Bureau of Investigation raided a business two blocks from Norwood Town Hall.

Agents confiscated all bookkeeping materials to look over more than a decade's worth of transactions after finding some that appeared to be suspicious.

The SBI search warrant obtained by Channel 9 details expensive purchases investigators believe a Norwood town commissioner made with money he embezzled from multiple businesses he co-owns.

The warrant alleges Robbie Cohen, who owns Cohen Construction Company and others, allowed some projects to go over budget, one by even $1 million, and used some of that money on a new home in Holden Beach, an $85,000 boat, a new Mercedes for his wife, a Panthers tailgate trailer, and more.

“If he's doing something illegal, then it is a problem,” Norwood resident Bill Johnson said. “If it was his money he's using, it's no problem."

The SBI's search warrant also said there is probable cause that "Cohen embezzled those mishandled funds for personal use from approximately May 16, 2001 until September 28, 2016."

In 2016, Channel 9 interviewed Cohen about taking his daughter to every Panthers game, home and away, including the Super Bowl.

Cohen told Channel 9 anchor Liz Foster Tuesday he has no plans to step down because the investigation has nothing to do with town business.

John Mullis, Norwood’s town administrator, said the decision to resign is up to Cohen.

“He's not expending money. It's only voted-on money with the board, so I don't see how that would have any bearing on it,” Mullis said.

The SBI's investigation is ongoing, and no charges have yet been filed.

Mullis said even if the investigation does end with criminal charges against Cohen, he shouldn't have to resign because it doesn't involve town business.

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