The former fire chief in Bryson City and his wife have been indicted on embezzlement charges.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that the charges filed by state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin announced against 44-year-old Joseph Winford Hughes inlcude embezzlement, making false statements, forgery, and conspiracy.
Forty-four-year-old Cylena Taylor Hughes is charged with larceny, forgery, embezzlement and conspiracy.
Investigators said the money was taken from the Bryson City Fire Department Local Firemen’s Relief Fund and the East Swain Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization.
It was not clear if the couple has attorneys.
Police began investigating in September after discrepancies were found in the fire department finances. The fire station was temporarily shut down, and officials conducted an audit of the department’s assets. Hughes was relieved of duty Sept. 23.
Topics North Carolina
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Trump to Issue Order Creating National AI Rule 
Chubb, The Hartford, Liberty and Travelers Team Up on Surety Tech Launch 
Trump Outlines Plan to Unwind Biden-Era Car Mileage Mandates 
Baldwin Group to Buy CAC Group for About $1B in Cash and Stock 
