Шерифы Северной Каролины сталкиваются с коррупционными скандалами внутри семей

It’s an old but true proverb. You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family? Any man or woman elected sheriff anywhere in North Carolina these days, whether here at home or on the other side of the state, understands that. Some more painfully than others. In Chowan County, a coastal area running along Albemarle Sound and just a short hop from Nag’s Head, the most prominent case being investigated now involves drugs. No surprise there, right? In law enforcement circles, drugs and domestic disputes are always at the top of the list. Arrested on multiple charges in eastern North Carolina this week was Tommie Wayne Basnight, 69. There were no real surprises about that until the sheriff made an announcement to the community about his support of full transparency. Sheriff Edward “Scooter” Basnight told residents that Tommie Wayne Basnight is his brother, but it gets better. He’s the sheriff’s next door neighbor. The sheriff said his deputies had been called next door to respond to “a domestic argument.” In the process, deputies investigating at the scene discovered drugs and arrested the sheriff’s brother. The evidence seized at the home included marijuana paraphernalia, including weed grinders, scales and 10 ounces of marijuana. Brother Tommie was charged with felony manufacture of marijuana, felony possession of marijuana with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver and possession of drug materials. The sheriff removed himself from involvement in the case and asked the district attorney to ensure total transparency. Closer to home, Polk County Sheriff Tim Wright has asked for an independent investigation of allegations that he improperly maintained his voter registration while temporarily living between residences in Polk and Rutherford counties. Wright’s lawyer said the sheriff has been living in Polk County but did temporarily stay at his brother’s home in Tryon and spent nights at his fiancee’s home in Rutherford County. All of this was occurring during an ongoing family property dispute and litigation of that involving Wright. Sheriff Wright said he has lived in Polk County his whole life and never voted anywhere else. So who’s stirring the pot as Wright’s re-election bid plays out? His estranged brother Larry Wright in Tryon. Mostly posting on social media, Larry Wright has disparaged brother Tim with a host of insults and claims that he doesn’t live in the county. He even posted blurry photos purporting to show the sheriff “stealing from my house.” It looks like the sheriff might be carrying a large moving box, or maybe taking out the trash. The sheriff denied that allegation as well. Tim’s brother Larry, a retired police officer, posted a few days ago on his social media account among an array of right-wing videos, just these words sounding like a warning: “Luke 8:17.” The idiom “blood is thicker than water” sometimes falls from the family tree.