Woody Burgess, Embezzlement, North Carolina 2013

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Former Cherryville Police Chief Woodrow Paul Burgess, 60, has been charged with one count of program embezzlement, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

According to the criminal bill of information and plea agreement filed today in U.S. District Court, Burgess was the Chief of Police for the City of Cherryville until his retirement in October 2012. During the relevant time period, Bonny Alexander, the city’s Finance Director, had authority to process payroll payments to Cherryville employees, direct payments for city expenses and issue checks on behalf of the city.

According to court records and the filed plea agreement, Burgess embezzled and caused Alexander to embezzle approximately $11,048 of the city’s funds. Court records show that beginning in January 2007 through November 2008, Burgess instructed Alexander to issue approximately nine Cherryville city checks payable to ‘The Great Outdoors, Inc.’ for the purchase of firearms for Burgess’ personal use.

The bill of information contains a notice of forfeiture, which gives notice that the defendant must forfeit to the United States all property and currency involved in the offense charged in the charging document, and all property and currency which are proceeds of such offense, including approximately $8,490 in cash, and three firearms seized during the course of the investigation.

‘Woody Burgess was sworn to uphold the law but instead thought he was above the law,’ said U.S. Attorney Tompkins. ‘While prosecuting a law enforcement officer is always difficult, my Office will not allow the likes of Woody Burgess to dishonor the uniform proudly worn by all other Cherryville police officers who are dedicated to serving and protecting their community.’

Burgess has agreed to plead guilty to one count of program embezzlement, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Burgess’ initial appearance and plea hearing have been set for Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at 2:00 p.m.

‘It is both disappointing and disheartening to learn a senior law enforcement officer took advantage of his trusted position for his own profit,’ said Special Agent in Charge John A. Strong, of the FBI in Charlotte. ‘Public corruption is the number one criminal priority of the FBI and we will continue to work aggressively to hold public officials of all levels accountable, especially those who erode the public’s trust in those who have sworn to protect and serve others.’

Burgess was the Chief of Police for the City of Cherryville from 1999 to 2012.

The investigation was led by the FBI’s Charlotte Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI).

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