An investigation into the Franklin County Sherriff’s Office is causing turmoil throughout that county.
Sheriff Pat Green issued a surprise resignation Sunday citing health reasons.
Then Monday, Franklin County’s district attorney asked the SBI to look into missing money at the Sheriff's Office.
On Tuesday, DA Sam Currin tells NBC-17 he believes Green resigned because of the missing money.
Pat Green was elected to the position in 2006 and re-elected last year.
He was just sworn in for his new 4-year term 30 days ago.
No one was talking at the home of the former sheriff Monday night when NBC-17 sought an interview.
The county commissioners were talking but it was behind closed doors after calling an emergency meeting Monday night.
Some of those who attended the meeting were still trying to grapple with the sheriff's sudden resignation and reports of a probe over missing money.
“I was so surprised, hurt and concerned at his resignation when I heard it and I remained concerned all day,” said county resident Rosanell Eaton.
Another meeting attendee added, “His wife died a few years ago and he’s had a child to raise and he’s been through a lot. It’s an unfortunate situation and I hope the truth comes out,” said Armenta Eaton.
After a closed session, the board returned to the meeting room refusing to comment on the ongoing investigation.
The board’s chairman would only say the Sheriff Office's chief deputy would be appointed the interim sheriff until the investigation is complete. Then the board would decide what to do next.
“There is no special election because the (NC) general statute doesn’t call for a special election,” said Chairman Sidney Dunston.
But local republicans say they'll seek to have the General Assembly pass a bill allowing for a special election instead of an appointed sheriff.
“This will be the sixth position in Franklin County to have someone resign from and have the board of commissioners make an appointment to replace them,” said Jeremy Neal of the Franklin County GOP.
“The purpose of the election is to have the people of the county actually vote to who they want to be represented by,” he said.
Right now, the Franklin County GOP believes it can persuade lawmakers to push through a one-time bill allowing for a special election just for the Franklin County sheriff because time is short in this legislative session.
But, they also want to permanently change the state law to allow for special elections every time there's an opening caused by a resignation of an elected position; but they say that will take a lot more time to work its way the General Assembly.
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