Veach v. City of Hamlet

Former detective files suit against city, Adams-David

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

HAMLET — Mayor Bill Bayless and all five members of the Hamlet City Council went into executive, or closed, session at 8:01 p.m. Tuesday to discuss a lawsuit filed by Michael Veach against the city and Marchell Adams-David, former city manager.

Hamlet_policeVeach was previously employed as a detective with the Hamlet Police Department. Veach was at the center of an SBI investigation that looked into whether or not city officers illegally seized privately owned vehicles, sold them and then kept the cash. At least one of those seized cars ended up at Veach’s home.

It’s not yet known what the suit alleges or what, if anything, Veach seeks to recoup. Veach was fired in connection to the transactions and vehicle seizures. City officials at the time, including former City Manager Marchell Adams-David and former City Councilwoman Abbie Covington, said the cases against the individuals were often dismissed but the cars were not returned to their rightful owners. The period of time this allegedly took place is believed to have been between 2007 and 2012, though sources indicate it might have started before 2007.

Adams-David resigned in July to take a position with the city of Raleigh.

The lawsuit is one of three items council members, along with city attorney T.C. Morphis Jr. and City Manager Marcus Abernathy, discussed. Another item concerned an unspecified economic development matter.

The Pee Dee Post has attempted to obtain a copy of the suit for several days from the Richmond County Clerk of Superior Court’s office. Each of the past several days, however, the Post has learned — up through 4:08 p.m. today — that the return of service had not yet been received at the office. The clerk’s office does not make such records available until the return of service is received by the office.

City officials reconvened in open session after about 45 minutes. Nothing about the closed session was discussed. After the meeting, Morphis said the city has not received a copy of the complaint. He doesn’t believe a copy has been served on Adams-David either.

 

 

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