The investigation into a former Franklin County Sheriff accused of stealing money has been completed and new warrants show he admitted stealing the cash to provide for his children.
An investigation began earlier this year after $109,000 was reported missing from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office undercover drug fund. The fund was used by the Sheriff's Office during special investigations that required cash.
The investigation led to former Sheriff Pat Green, who said he was "working on huge federal drug investigation that involved a county commissioner and two senators." Deputies say that is not how the money was spent.
"Lt. William Mitchell estimated he asked former Sheriff Green on at least 20 occasions for special funds and was told there was none," according to the search warrant.
Before the State Bureau of Investigations began looking into the case, Green resigned from his position, citing health reasons.
According to the new warrants released on July 19, Green met with SBI agents on June 14 to discuss the investigation. It was during that interview that Green told agents about the November 2008 death of his wife, Tracey, and admitted to stealing the funds for the sake of his children.
Green stated to agents, "I took the money, I'm not going to lie to y'all. I became depressed. I wanted to stay home. I took money to buy things for the kids, clothes, gas."
The warrants state that more than $200,000 in specials funds were diverted from Oct. 9, 2007, through Dec. 21, 2010. Green only admitted to diverting less than the unaccounted for money, "maybe $75,000, $80,000. As high as $90,000," Green told investigators.
Agents have requested to see Credit Bureau records for Green and his new wife, Jennifer Lynn Green, as an aid to the investigation.
Noelle Talley, spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Justice, says their investigation has been completed and is currently under review by Special Prosecutors.
No arrests or charges have been filed in connection with the investigation. But the search warrant shows the SBI believes Green was involved in embezzlement.
Green's attorney, John Williamson of Louisburg, had not seen the warrant until NBC-17 took it to him Monday.
“I'm worried. It's serious,” said Williamson.
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