S.B.I. investigates Town of Sunset Beach after forged signature on town check was discovered

SUNSET BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A Brunswick County beach town is facing scrutiny after a forged signature was discovered on a town check. 

“Came across some checks, noticed that one of the signatures on it, for sure, was not my signature. That’s what brought it into question,” Town of Sunset Beach Mayor Shannon Phillips said. 

The State Bureau of Investigation is now looking closer into the town. 

Mayor Shannon Phillips said on March 1st, when he first realized his signature had been forged on a town check, he filed a report with the town’s police department. 

“I reached out to the sheriff’s office; they appointed me to go to my town. I reported it to my town and that’s where it went from there, to the SBI. SBI’s been in touch with me, they’re doing their investigation. They have an open investigation. They’ll get to the bottom of it,” Phillips said. 

Mayor Phillips said he cannot supply numbers or names associated with the alleged forged check to protect the integrity of this investigation. 

WWAY reached out to the State Bureau of Investigation. A spokesperson responded with a statement. It reads: 

“On 3/1/24, the SBI received a request from the Sunset Beach Police Department to investigate suspected fraudulent activity of city funds belonging to Sunset Beach.” 

Mayor Phillips said he is putting his faith in the S.B.I. to find the truth behind what he calls this “very upsetting situation.” 

“We have a great town here, great people. It’s a small town. You hate you have things like this that happen, but you do. Sometimes things happen and sometimes you just have to take care of the problems as they arise and that’s what I look for the SBI to do,” Mayor Phillips said. 

This is an ongoing investigation. We will continue to keep you updated as more information is made available.