SBI: No evidence of crime in Holden Beach land purchase

Bolivia, NC (WWAY) — A spokeswoman with Brunswick County says SBI investigators have found no evidence of a crime in a Holden Beach land purchase.

SBI investigators say they conducted a limited inquiry of the December 2014 Brunswick County purchase of land for a county park in Holden Beach.Officials say they also provided information to Tammy Smith, the Chief Financial Crimes Resource Prosecutor, and her office agreed with the findings.

According to the StarNews, the commissioners voted 3-2 to buy about 35 acres for a nature park for $3.5 million.  The county’s tax department listed the tax value for a 32-acre section at $1.2 million and about $500,000 for two adjoining parcels. Many residents said the price was far greater than the worth, the paper said.