Rhodhiss official faces charges in scrap metal case

Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

A Rhodhiss councilman charged with embezzlement made his first appearance in court Friday, officials said.

Clarence Gary Burns, 69, councilman and former Rhodhiss public works supervisor, was charged Wednesday night with misdemeanor willful failure to discharge duties as a town employee and felony embezzlement by a public officer, said N.C. Department of Justice Public Information Officer Noelle Talley.

Burns did not return messages left Thursday. Calls to his home went unanswered Friday, and no answering service was available.

Rhodhiss Police Chief Tim Anthony said Friday that he began an investigation about eight months ago into allegations that Burns, who was the town's public works supervisor, took scrap metal entrusted to him and exchanged it for money.

The allegations span several years, after 2000, but Anthony would not say exactly when they took place.

Anthony would not say precisely how much money they believe Burns took but said that it was less than $10,000 and more than $1,000.

Anthony said he requested help from the State Bureau of Investigation about two months ago. "Because of (Burns') status within the Town Council, I felt like it would be a conflict if interest for me to be the sole investigator," he said.

The District Attorney's Office will review the SBI's completed investigation, said Assistant District Attorney Eric Bellas.

Burns, who could face additional charges, was released Wednesday night after signing a written promise to appear in court, according to the Burke County Magistrate's Office.

He is scheduled to appear in court on March 30 for the misdemeanor charge.


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