Prosecutors in ‘preliminary stages’ of criminal investigation against Ted Spring

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A state prosecutor who specializes in white collar crime tells WWAY they’re looking into the recent audit of former CFCC President Ted Spring.

The report released by the State Auditor today said Spring used almost $36,000 of public funds for personal expenditures the report called “inappropriate.” Tammy Smith, the White Collar Crime Resource Prosecutor in the NC Conference of District Attorneys, said they were first approached about the spending complains from District Attorney Ben David. Smith said they waited for the audit to be completed before moving forward. Her position, a resource for DAs, is now reviewing the report with the State Bureau of Investigation.

“We’re looking at the findings to see what is the next appropriate step,” Smith said.

Smith said they were in the preliminary stages of a criminal investigation, and if they were to proceed, it would take a few days before the next step would be taken. An SBI spokeswoman said there is currently no open investigation into Ted Spring.

Spring resigned from CFCC in January, but he has sued CFCC’s Board of Trustees to get his job back claiming they improperly forced him out.