DOBSON
The town has referred a case of alleged embezzlement of town money to the district attorney's office in Surry County, a Dobson official said yesterday.
The town reported the matter after the Dobson Board of Commissioners discussed it Thursday night, Town Attorney Hugh Campbell said. The commissioners talked about it in a closed session for nearly three hours.
The Mount Airy News reported yesterday that it had obtained documents in which a source accused Town Manager Lynn Burcham of using town money for her own use, sometimes replacing the money at a later date. The newspaper reported that it also has notes from town employees that show they paid bills on Burcham's behalf with her knowledge.
Burcham could not be reached for comment. Campbell said that Burcham took yesterday off as a personal day. The board took no action regarding Burcham's position, and she is still the town manager, Campbell said.
"At this point, I can't even say that there was embezzlement," Campbell said. "Let's see how things develop."
Campbell said he has not seen the documents obtained by the newspaper, and he didn't know how much money was involved in the alleged embezzlement.
Burcham has served as the town manager for about two years. Information about her salary was not available yesterday.
Campbell and Mayor Ricky Draughn said that Town Clerk Kevin D. Hall and Crystal Grant, the town's secretary, had left their jobs earlier this month. Campbell and Draughn declined to comment about whether their departures were related to the alleged embezzlement.
Asked whether Burcham will return to work on Monday, Campbell said, "That's a decision for the board."
The town's board of commissioners is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in town hall. If the commissioners want to discuss the matter before then, they'd have to call a special meeting, Campbell said.
Commissioner Clinton Dockery declined to comment. Commissioners Gerri Martin, Lana Brendle, J. Wayne Atkins and Clarence H. Collins could not be reached.
Draughn said that the town has advertised the jobs of town clerk and secretary in The Mount Airy News.
"Right now, we seem to be functioning," Draughn said. "We are dealing with the situation as best we can."
■ John Hinton can be reached at 727-7299 or at jhinton@wsjournal.com.
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