RFP Staff
♦ Many in Salisbury are questioning Salisbury City Council calling off the SBI investigation of terminated City Customer Service Rep Joe Elliott, 32, alleged “misappropriation of funds” said to be $1,500. Early in January 2015 the Rowan Free Press became aware that Elliott was terminated for violating city policies including misappropriation of funds, failure to follow department procedure, and unsatisfactory work quality.
City Hall became alerted about missing funds when an internal audit of the city’s Customer Service Division (Fibrant/water-sewer utilities) showed discrepancies. Shortly thereafter City Hall requested the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to begin an independent investigation into the missing city funds. The city never pressed charges even though by the city’s own account was a misappropriation of public funds.
It was revealed in Elliott’s January 9th termination letter that if he didn’t reimburse the city for the missing $1,500 by February 9th, the city would begin a “legal action”.
Mysteriously the SBI investigation was called off at the alleged urging of someone in City Hall who did not want the investigation to go forward and perhaps create another major humiliation for the city rocked by the “mutual termination” scandal of the former City Manager and the cover-up of the infamous Michelle Hardin Case:
We hear the rolling thunder of a 5 seat City Council TURNAROUND.
We understand Joe Elliott is learning from his very painful tribulation and is moving forward with his life, considering the consequences of every action.
