Attorney calls CFCC probe ‘a witch hunt’

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — District Attorney Ben David says the investigation into CFCC was broadened this week due to new allegations involving the former president, but the attorney representing Dr. Ted Spring says these allegations are a witch hunt.

David asked for the SBI to assist in the investigation on Monday. David said this in regards to allegations that former CFCC President, Ted Spring, asked an employee to fabricate a report in exchange for a promotion. On Thursday, David wouldn’t additional details about these allegations, but said in a letter to an agent with the SBI the allegations may go beyond a simple financial review by state auditors. Auditors have been looking into CFCC’s finances for weeks, David said.

“My office has maintained a longstanding relationship with Cape Fear Community College, David said. “To maintain absolute impartiality I have turned to the Conference of District Attorneys’ Financial Crimes Initiative for assistance. They routinely work with the very auditors and SBI agents who have been conducting this investigation.”

Spring resigned on January 22 during a closed session of a CFCC Board of Trustees meeting. Spring’s attorney, Gary Shipman, said that resignation took everyone by surprise, including Spring. Shipman said Spring was told to either resign with a pension, or be fired.

“Dr. Spring has done nothing to deserve what is happening to him,” Shipman said. “I challenge Jason Harris, the Chairman of the Board, to say that Dr. Spring resigned of his own volition.”

When reached for a response, Harris said he could not comment on a now legal matter. In a statement issued Thursday evening, the CFCC Board of Trustees said they take allegations of inappropriate behavior very seriously and won’t make any other public comment until matters are resolved. Shipman added his client is fully cooperating with investigators.

“Right now what our mission is to cooperate with any investigation that is being conducted,” Shipman said.

At the end of the letter, David stresses the public to have an open mind to investigations.

“Sometimes investigations lead to criminal charges, while at other times investigations will exonerate the innocent,” David said. “As I have said many times in the past, members of the public should draw no inference from the fact that an investigation is underway.”