Former N.C. EMS Director Indicted on Embezzlement Charges
DAVIDSON COUNTY --
A Davidson County grand jury has indicted the former director of Davidson County Emergency Services on 57 offenses relating to alleged embezzlement from the Thomasville Rescue Squad.
Davidson County Assistant District Attorney Greg Brown said the grand jury on Monday indicted Doug Lowe, 49, of Bay Tree Lane, Thomasville, on 21 felony counts of embezzlement by a public officer/trustee, 18 felony counts of forgery endorsement and 18 felony counts of uttering forged endorsement. He was arrested and released Oct. 8 after posting a $20,000 secured bond.
Lowe is accused by the State Bureau of Investigation of embezzling more than $15,000 from the Thomasville Rescue Squad during the past five years. He served as the rescue squad’s treasurer. The SBI investigation was initiated at the request of the Davidson County district attorney in July 2010.
According to a search warrant obtained by The High Point Enterprise, the SBI searched items from Lowe’s home, his former office at the Davidson County Emergency Services building and his former county vehicle. The warrant states the investigation into Lowe was prompted after members of the Thomasville Rescue Squad discovered several checks that contained forged signatures.
The warrant states members of the Thomasville Rescue Squad reviewed their past expenditures and discovered 21 checks from Jan. 24, 2005, to Sept. 10, 2010, were made payable to Lowe or a member of Lowe’s immediate family. The SBI alleges 16 of the 21 checks were deposited into Lowe’s State Employees’ Credit Union account.
Lowe worked with the Davidson County Emergency Services for about 30 years. His salary was about $60,000. Lowe made his formal resignation to Davidson County on Oct. 11.
Lowe managed a department that had three divisions – emergency management, fire marshal and ambulance service. County officials said Lowe did not handle money, as payments and funds are by the county’s finance department. County officials, however, said they would conduct their own investigation.
Brown said Lowe’s next court appearance is Dec. 6 in Davidson County.
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