The N&R finally follows up last week’s Rhino report that Guilford County Manager Brenda Jones Fox is being investigated by the FBI and the IRS over shady land deals.

Fox’s attorney Seth Cohen issued a statement:

“Brenda Jones Fox has done nothing wrong, much less illegal,” Cohen said in the statement. “While it is our understanding that federal agencies have been asking some questions, it is not our understanding that there is a formal investigation.”

Cohen went on to blame Fox’s political enemies for contacting the agencies, trying to stir up an actual investigation .

“This entire matter is the result of certain individuals who have a vendetta against Ms. Fox, including a disgruntled employee,” Cohen said. “It is our firm belief that within a matter of weeks, this entire matter will be put to rest.”

County Attorney Mark Payne says he’s out of the loop, but so what –the feds just come in and do what they want to do. The Rhino reported that county commissioners Billy Yow, Carolyn Coleman and Kirk Perkins said they were aware that a federal investigation was taking place. That’s a commissioner from the right, one from the left and one right down the middle, with none of them stepping up to defend Fox.

Meanwhile Scott Yost is still on the story, trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle. When —and if– it’s ever solved, Billy Yow says citizens will be shocked when the they learn the “breadth and extent of the backroom deal-making and the large number of players involved.”