First witnesses speak during Craver trial after two days of jury selection

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY) — Pender County Clerk of Court Elizabeth Craver is on trial for three felony counts of obtaining property under false pretenses.

Prosecutors allege Craver used her position for personal gain, including having an employee assist with dress shopping on county time. Witnesses testified regarding fraudulent timecards, unusual reimbursement requests, and a county-funded laptop used for personal shopping.

Several witnesses testified on Wednesday, including a former coworker named Crystal.

She said she feared Craver would take it out on her if she didn’t support her boss’s reelection bid.

Craver’s attorney, Buddy Allard, asked Crystal if his client had forced her to carry campaign signs, and Crystal said no, but felt Craver was trying to influence her.

The prosecution then called court financial officer Carletta Stanley to the stand.

Stanley said she thought it was unusual for Craver to use county funds to buy an air conditioner when the courthouse had its own heating and air conditioning system.

Allard asked why Stanley didn’t question Craver or tell anybody else.

Stanley said he was told by her boss, the finance director at the time, “it’s the clerk’s money, so don’t worry about it.”

Other details discussed included fraudulent timecards, unusual reimbursement requests, and a county-funded laptop used for personal shopping.

Craver, who was previously suspended and then reinstated, is currently running for re-election in the Republican primary against Camille Harrell, who has served as interim clerk during Craver’s suspension.

The trial will continue on Thursday.