Now, based on my message to Mayor Anthony, a request from Rev. Dante Murphy of SCEPUL (Southern Coalition for Equal Protection Under the Law) was made to Mayor Anthony on July 13, 2019 to specifically confirm or deny the issues I had raised to Mayor Anthony. And when no response was provided, Rev. Murphy made a formal request for an investigation of Mayor Anthony’s potential conflict and Self-Dealing Violations to both Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford as well as Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman bn July 15, 2019
Rev. Murphy’s messages stated:
Mayor Stan Anthony,
Please confirm or deny the validity of this email produced by Robert Williams, specifically, that you have business dealings with the development of the proposed sports complex by Mr. Green. If so, SCEPUL will ask law enforcement to open a criminal investigation that will likely end up in the hands of the SBI due to conflicts of interest in the matter. It is only fair that you be notified of this action as to avoid any unwarranted actions against you. I have copied both Mr. Green and Mr. Williams on this email to avoid any misunderstandings. I will also forward this message to North Carolina Attorney Josh Stein as his office will have a say in this matter should it arise to that level.Rev. Dante Murphy
SCEPULChief Ledford or Sheriff Norman,
Please indicate the law enforcement agency that will accept this complaint for investigation. Based on the information provided Mayor Stan Anthony would have committed a crime if he was profiting or seeking to profit from his elected position. The sign on Mr. Green’s property indicate that Mayor Anthony is seeking to engage in a “pay to play” scheme. Aside from profiting from his elected position, is the potential that he has engaged in bribery, in that, he is offering his influence with expedited permits, etc. in exchange for being the designer for Mr. Green’s complex. In the event I do not hear from you by tomorrow I will contact the Attorney General’s Office.
If this email is valid for a complaint, I would ask that you send me the file number.
Rev. Dante Murphy
So far Chief Ledford and Sheriff Norman have NOT replied to Rev. Murphy’s request and Rev. Murphy, to my knowledge, has forwarded his concerns to NC Attorney General Josh Stein. An no reply has been made by the NC Attorney General. Just another reason why citizens should inform themselves of what is going on in their governmental agencies and make their wishes known at the ballot box come election time.
So, Shelby residents that are registered to vote in the 2019 Primary and General Elections, what will be your conclusion on who you cast your vote for in the election for the Mayor of Shelby???
But maybe you Shelby city voters shouldn’t decide too quickly. At least not until you read my next several articles. And hopefully you will ask some questions of your own to the candidates for Mayor. And don’t be surprised if there is a last-minute Write-In Candidate for the Mayor of Shelby in the November 2019 General Election!!