North Carolina is known for having a bad reputation when it comes to corruption. In 2015, the Center for Public Integrity ranked North Carolina 47th out of 50 states in its State Integrity Investigation. This study looked at how likely corruption was in state governments.
North Carolina got low scores in areas like giving the public access to information, handling political money, enforcing ethics, and being transparent about lobbying.
Most Corrupt Town in North Carolina
Which city in North Carolina is considered the most corrupt? According to a recent study by RoadSnacks, a website that uses data to rate places, the answer is Lumberton.
Lumberton, located in Robeson County, has been identified as the most dangerous place to live in the state for 2023, mainly due to a high rate of violent and property crimes per person.
The city stands out with a danger level that’s 435% higher than any other place in the state. For every 1,000 people, there are 122 property crimes and 20 violent crimes. Lumberton also reported 8 murders, 16 rapes, 61 robberies, and 361 aggravated assaults in just one year.
However, crime is not the only issue in Lumberton. The city has also faced accusations of corruption, fraud, and mismanagement within its local government and public institutions.
Read More: This City Has Been Named the Murder Capital of Ohio
Some Corruption Cases
In 2019, Bruce Davis, the ex-mayor of Lumberton, got a 25-year prison sentence for being part of a drug trafficking scheme with other public officials and law officers.
He was accused of using his position to help distribute cocaine, heroin, and prescription pills in the city and county.
In 2020, Michael McNeill, the former police chief of Lumberton, faced 88 charges including embezzlement, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.
He allegedly stole over $500,000 from the city’s drug forfeiture fund, using it for personal expenses like vacations, vehicles, and gambling. He was also accused of tampering with evidence, falsifying records, and lying to investigators.
In 2021, Shanita Wooten, the former superintendent of Public Schools in Robeson County, was charged with 16 counts of obtaining property by false pretense.
She was accused of misusing over $100,000 in federal funds meant for low-income students, diverting the money for unauthorized travel, meals, and entertainment for herself and her staff. Additionally, she was accused of inflating the number of eligible students to receive more funds from the state and federal governments.
Read More: This Pennsylvania City Ranks as State’s Most Corrupt Town
Some Statistics About North Carolina
Lumberton, based on info from the U.S. Census Bureau, has a high poverty rate of 36.5%, more than twice the state average of 15.5%.
The city’s unemployment rate is 7.9%, exceeding the state average of 4.6%. With a population of 18,583, it’s made up of 38.5% Native American, 33.5% white, 24.4% black, and 3.6% other races.
Lumberton has faced racial tensions, especially between Native American and white communities, involving voting rights, education, and land ownership.
The city also deals with environmental issues like flooding, pollution, and contamination due to its proximity to the Lumber River and the presence of industrial facilities and hog farms.
Read More: This California City Ranks as State’s Most Corrupt Town
To Conclude
Lumberton, North Carolina, faces serious problems with corruption, crime, and social issues. The city is stuck in a cycle of hardship due to high poverty, unemployment, and racial tensions.
Public officials like the ex-mayor, police chief, and school superintendent being involved in corruption cases worsen the situation, making people trust local institutions less and hindering progress.
Although Lumberton is often considered the most corrupt town in North Carolina, it’s important to realize that it’s not the only place dealing with these issues.
The state as a whole has a low ranking in preventing corruption, emphasizing the need for reforms at both the state and local levels. To fight corruption and rebuild trust, we must have more transparency, stricter ethical codes, and thorough independent investigations.
Lumberton’s problems are severe, but addressing them requires a comprehensive approach. We need to deal with poverty, crime, racial discord, and environmental concerns alongside efforts to eliminate corruption.
