Investigation into Wico. Co. Exec. concludes

The Wicomico County Council accepted the final determination of an independent audit and it appears they will not pursue any further action against county executive after concerns were raised about a fraudulent letter.

According to the auditor's report the letter dated on November 19, 2015 suggested a pay raise for a county employee. The letter was identified as being from the county's finance director and addressed to County Executive Bob Culver,  however the finance director claimed they did not write it and had no knowledge of it. 

The independent auditor, James Kern,  told the council that he was unable to finish his investigation because Culver would not grant county employees the permission to be interviewed by him.

Despite that, there was still reason to believe the letter was fraudulent.

"The documents and information gained to date indicate that the November 19 2015 letter was made to appear as though it as a letter from the county's director of finance providing information in support of a pay increase for a county director," Kern said.

County council president John Cannon said it was concerning that the investigation could not be completed, but said the council will move onto other matters.

"I think the idea now is for the council to move on with other issues as I said, economic development or education, public safety, or any of those other, to me, issues that are very critical to all the voters in Wicomico County," Cannon said. 

Culver is expected to make a statement regarding the audit report Thursday afternoon.

Previously Culver had said there was no case of monetary fraudulence and that the truth would come out soon.