State News

Jury acquits former N.C. senator on embezzlement

The Associated Press

Published: July 2, 2009

YANCEYVILLE

A jury has acquitted former North Carolina state Sen. Hugh Webster of embezzlement involving $12,000 given him by his aunt.

The Times-News of Burlington reported Caswell County jurors took an hour Thursday before finding Webster not guilty of felonious embezzlement and exploiting the trust of an elderly person.

Webster testified Wednesday his aunt, Doris Nance, gave him the money as a gift. Prosecutors argued Nance wanted him to invest the money for her but he didn't return it when asked.

Webster said Nance was reducing assets so her ex-husband could qualify for Medicaid. He got worried about getting caught up in government fraud when she later asked for $5,000 back.

Webster was a senator for 12 years and ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year.