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Matthews attorney authorized to investigate alleged closed‑session breach after former officer’s testimony
Summary
Town Attorney Daniel Peterson was authorized unanimously on Aug. 25 to investigate alleged disclosures about closed‑session content that were referenced in an administrative hearing by a former Matthews police officer.
The Matthews Board of Commissioners on Aug. 25 unanimously authorized Town Attorney Daniel Peterson to conduct an internal investigation into possible breaches of closed‑session confidentiality after a former Matthews police officer testified about discussions related to a board closed session.
Peterson told the board he had been authorized in closed session to disclose limited information in open session and described the testimony at an administrative hearing alleging the former officer had conversations about the content of a closed session. Peterson said the allegation is “very serious” and asked the board to authorize an investigation into breaches of closed‑session confidentiality.
Commissioner Ken McCool moved to authorize the town attorney or his designee to investigate; Commissioner John Urban seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The town invoked North Carolina’s closed‑session authority when calling the closed session earlier in the meeting; in open session Peterson specifically referenced North Carolina General Statute 143‑318.11(a)(3) during his report and said he was seeking the board’s direction to proceed with an investigation. Commissioners said they took the allegation seriously and supported an internal review. The attorney did not provide investigative details in open session.
