Resident calls for independent probe, audit of Pitt County Sheriff's Department

During the public-address portion of the Pitt County Board of Commissioners meeting, Jerry Fisher of Harrell Street in Greenwood urged the board to seek an independent investigation and financial audit of the Pitt County Sheriff's Department.

Fisher said a resignation letter from Molly Plunt, identified in the letter as a business manager in the sheriff's office, had been widely read online and alleged backlash after Ms. Plunt insisted on completing business matters "in the most appropriate and legal way possible." Fisher said the letter described "inappropriate and illegal activities between staff and vendors" and referenced prior litigation involving the sheriff's office that the county has had to address.

"We need you to do the right thing, call the State Bureau of Investigation and have an independent investigation done in the sheriff's department," Fisher said. He also asked for a financial audit. He characterized his request as a plea to the commissioners, who he said "represent us," and urged them to hold the sheriff's department accountable.

No county official offered a substantive response on the record during Fisher's three-minute public comment segment. The manager and other staff continued with the agenda after the comment period ended.

The board did not record an explicit pledge in the meeting transcript to open the investigations Fisher requested during the provided segments.