Former Spring Lake finance director sentenced to 4 years in prison

SPRING LAKE, N.C. (WTVD) — The previous finance director for the City of Spring Lake was sentenced to 4 years in federal jail for embezzling greater than $500,000 from the city.

In keeping with the U.S. Justice Division, between 2016 and 2021, Homosexual Cameron Tucker wrote checks from the city’s financial institution accounts for her private use, forging the signatures of city officers, together with the mayor. She stole $567,070 throughout that span, federal prosecutors mentioned.

Tucker, 64, was faraway from her job as finance director in March of final 12 months.

On Sept. 21, she pleaded responsible to 1 rely of embezzlement from an area authorities receiving federal funds, and one rely of aggravated identification theft

“Public corruption at any degree is against the law that impacts all of us and undermines our public establishments,” mentioned U.S. Lawyer Michael Easley. “This defendant abused her place of belief through the use of public funds meant for her local people to pay her personal private bills. Our workplace will proceed to accomplice with legislation enforcement to research and prosecute allegations of public corruption.”

Spring Lake has been beset by monetary issues. A former accounting technician and finance director in Spring Lake used almost $500,000 of city funds for herself from 2018-2021, an audit present in 2021.

The city’s monetary affairs at the moment are managed by the state treasurer.