A former Buncombe County manager and her son have been indicted with federal charges, the United States Department of Justice announced Thursday.
Wanda Greene, 66, and Michael Greene, 47, were charged with conspiracy to embezzle, steal, obtain by fraud or misapply funds, wire fraud offenses. The elder Greene was charged with embezzling public funds, as well as aiding and abetting embezzlement, the Department of Justice stated.
The pair allegedly embezzled $200,000 from 2007 until 2017. Wanda Greene worked as the county’s manager from 1997 until her 2017 retirement. Michael Greene also worked for the county from 2004 until his 2017 resignation.
“As County Manager, Wanda Greene was responsible for the administration of all departments of the County’s government under the control of the Board of Commissioners,” the release stated.
“In that role, Wanda Greene had the power to appoint, suspend, and remove all county officers, employees, and agents, and was responsible for directing and supervising the administration of ally country offices, departments, boards, commissions and agencies controlled by the Board.”
The indictment alleges the Greenes misused the county-issued credit cards given to them and other employees by buying gift cards. The purchases were made at various restaurants and stores, such as Walmart, Target, Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel.
The elder Greene also used the credit cards at various retail stores, making purchases of $18,256 at Best Buy, $10,718 at Target and $6,479 at TJ Maxx. Additionally, she used her county-issued credit card to pay more than $15,000 for electronic devices and phone service, the indictment stated.
After learning her credit card purchases might be public record in 2011, Greene started to only use credit cards issued to her subordinates, who made fraudulent purchases for her, her son and others, the release stated.
The pair has been ordered to appear on a summons, according to the release. The elder Greene could face as much as 35 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.
