4 city workers could face
40 years in jail for fraud

Four former city employees may have to serve prison sentences totaling more than 40 years in what ranks among Asheville’s biggest-ever municipal corruption cases.

The case involves a former top manager — Human Resources Director Lisa Roth — and three other municipal employees, including Liz Oldre, Laura Masters and Robin Nix.

The four women were informed on March 31 the amount of jail time they might serve if convicted on charges involving more than $20,000 in a city health benefits program.

Nix was assistant director of the Human Resources Department, Masters was a compensation analyst and Oldre, a benefits specialist.

They are accused of making claims for goods and services they never purchased.

Meanwhile, City Council members said they remain confident in City Manager Gary Jackson, who oversees daily affairs of the municipality. He receives policy guidance from elected officials.

March 31 was the first court appearance for the former employees, who were informed by Buncombe County District Court Judge Calvin Hill of the charges they face, their right to an attorney and possible penalties if convicted.

All but Oldre waived their right to a court-appointed attorney. However, after a review of her application, the judge denied her a taxpayer-funded attorney. Instead, he said she would have to hire her own attorney. The women are scheduled to return to court on May 20. District Attorney Ron Moore said on March 30 that more charges could be filed.

The fraudulent practices involving employee flexible health care and dependent spending accounts began as far back as 2007, according to police.

Assistant City Manager Jeff Richardson has been assigned to oversee the department and will put in new controls, Jackson said.

NAACP chapter rips APD
after racist text allegation

A city police sergeant has been accused of sending a racist text message to an officer he supervised, prompting criticism of the Asheville Police Department by the chief of the Asheville chapter of the National Associated for the Advancement of Colored People.

While NAACP chapter President John Hayes charged that the case reflects the climate that is tolerated at the APD, the APD’s Melissa Williams countered that racial relations are better than ever, but there is always room for improvement.

In an e-mailed statement, she said, “Decades of racial mistrust and misunderstanding can’t be easily mitigated in five, 10 or even 20 years.”

The racist text message claims are made in a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit filed by Officer Cherie Byrd against the city and Sgt. Eric Lauffer, who won a 2008 “Officer of the Year” award from thee city.
In a November 2008 text message, Lauffer said that “the election is making me sick” and that “due to recent events: grape soda, red kool-aid, fried chicken, malt liquor, menthol cigarettes and gold teeth wil be tax-exempt,” the lawsuit stated.

Lauffer also allegedly sent her sexually explicit text messages, Byrd said in the lawsuit, which was filed in the fourth week of March.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission review Byrd’s complaint, in accordance with federal law, and found that she had a right to sue.

Drug, larceny charges
filed at UNCA in March

UNC Asheville campus police reported the following activity in March:

• The arrest of Joseph Lane Hambrick, 19, of Waynesville on drug charges at 11:08 p.m. March 16.

Hambrick, a non-resident, was charged with possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• The arrest of Alex Mitchell on vandalism and larceny charges at UNCA at 8:10 p.m. March 15.

Specifically, Mitchell was charged with damaging computer hardware, valued at $40; and the theft of a computer security cable, $10.

• The issuance of a traffic citation in March to Jonathon James Kaelin, 24, of Fairview. The arrest occurred on W.T. Weaver Blvd.

The charge was precipitated, according to police, by Mabrick’s “following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, without due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon ad the condition of the highway.”

• A report of larceny from a building, with no suspects named from a UNCA building at Founders Hall.
Police put no value on the computer and software stolen.