High Point Enterprise reports Mayor Bernita Sims is the subject of an SBI investigation for passing a bad check:
Sims’ sister, Annie Ponce, reported to High Point police on March 13 that Sims had given her a $7,000 check in November 2012 that was returned due to insufficient funds.
Police referred the matter to the SBI, where agents launched an investigation that concluded April 23. The SBI findings were delivered to the District Attorney, who asked that the Special Prosecutions Unit of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office handle the case going forward, according to an SBI spokeswoman.
A bounced check involving an amount more than $2,000 is considered a felony under state law.
Police Chief Marty Sumner referred the case to state authorities in order to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. Sims declined to comment until the matter is resolved by authorities.
