Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ Kenneth Lydell Fox-Muhammad, a former East Spencer Mayor who once served time in a federal prison for financial crimes, was appointed Tuesday to the Rowan County Housing Authority board. Mr. Fox-Mahammad was one of two new appointees. The son of East Spencer’s Essie May Fox, a community advocate, Mr. Fox-Muhammad admitted his former felony conviction on his application. He wrote on his application for the Housing Authority Board: “In 2006 I plead guilty to mail/wire fraud, as a result of a complicated and complex situation while serving as Mayor of East Spencer. I served 30 months in a federal facility, and completed a term of probation. I completed all requirements for a MBA degree, and expect to receive a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration by 2016.”
County Commission Vice-Chairman Craig Pierce, reached by phone on Wednesday, told us: “I stand behind the appointment of Kenneth Fox. Kenneth paid his debt to society and has moved forward with his life. Since his release his life has been exemplary in his community. He’s worked hard toward his MBA degree and will complete a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration in 2016. He wants to give back.”
Commissioner Mike Caskey said: “I was aware of Kenneth Fox’s record–he recorded it on his application. From what I understand he’s turned his life around. He’s furthered himself in his graduate school education. I believe in second chances.”
Chairman Jim Sides told us: “Mr. Fox was honest on his application about his record. He paid his debt and deserves another chance. The board is purely an advisory board. I don’t see a problem and have not heard any complaints from the housing authority at this time.”
In the Fall of 2005 Mr. Fox-Muhammad plead guilty to obtaining property though false pretense and to one count involving conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, federal program bribery, affecting commerce through extortion, use of mail to promote bribery and promoting money laundering. Mr. Fox-Muhammad and his wife received $67,000 in payments, going to them or a shell company. They also fraudulently obtained a mortgage from a Charlotte lender.
Mr. Fox-Muhammad, Chris Slade, and former East Spencer alderman Chris Sharpe, all involved in the scandal were ordered to repay East Spencer $1.5 million in restitution.
Mr. Fox-Muhammad, after his conviction, served his time at a medium-security federal prison in Bennettsville, S.C. He was released in 2009.
