No charges against WPD deputy chief after prosecutor reviews internal investigation

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington Police Department deputy chief will not face criminal charges after a state prosecutor reviewed an internal affairs investigation.

According to a WPD news release, Chief Ralph Evangelous and District Attorney Ben David received a letter today from Tammy Smith, a white collar crime resource prosecutor for the NC Conference of District Attorneys. Evangelous and David asked the Conference of District Attorneys and the SBI to conduct a criminal investigation about a larceny by employee allegation involving Deputy Chief Marshall Williamson. In her letter, Smith wrote that she “met with members of the Wilmington Police Department Internal Affairs Team assigned to this investigation and reviewed all relevant information. After thorough review, I have decided that criminal charges are not supported by the evidence.”

Reached by phone late Monday afternoon, Smith told WWAY the only evidence presented for her to review was from the WPD Internal Affairs investigation of Williamson. She said she did not believe the SBI ever investigated the case, and said any questions about why would need to be directed to that agency.

SBI spokesman Shannon O’Toole said agents met with Smith and the WPD Internal Affairs team Friday to review the information available, but that after Smith’s determination that the evidence did not support charges, the SBI had no reason to do anything else with the case unless it received a secondary request from Evangelous or David. Likewise, Smith said as a prosecutor, if she is presented with new information about a case, she can review it at that time to see if charges should be filed.

David said this afternoon he had not had a chance to talk to Smith or anyone at SBI about the case since receiving Smith’s letter.

WPD said Williamson remains on administrative leave with pay pending the completion of a personnel investigation. WPD’s news release pointed out that personnel investigation information is protected from public release under state law.

WWAY reached out to Williamson’s attorney, Gary Shipman, for a comment or an interview with Shipman or his client. Shipman issued the following statement:

“While we were confident that an impartial investigation would show that, Deputy Chief Williamson is nevertheless relieved with this conclusion, and anxious to get back to work serving the citizens of the City of Wilmington, precisely as he has done for more than thirty (30) years. In that regard, Deputy Chief Williamson looks forward to his immediate reinstatement.”