Former Columbus Co. Animal Control director charged with embezzlement

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The former director of the Columbus County Animal Shelter is facing embezzlement charges, according to the sheriff's office.

Joseph David Prince, 51, surrendered to deputies Wednesday and was charged with two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense and one felony county of embezzlement.

According to the Columbus County Sheriff's Office, an investigation into Prince began after he left the position on Aug. 28, 2017. The sheriff's office was notified that a laptop containing financial information, along with other documents were missing from the county's Animal Control office in Whiteville.

Investigators said that Prince created numerous PayPal and GoFundMe accounts to make it easier for nonprofit organizations to make donations to Animal Control.

Detectives subpoenaed bank records and discovered that Prince allegedly transferred nearly $1,600 from the Animal Control's PayPal account to his own personal PayPal account for personal use.

Prince was booked into the Columbus County Jail under a $7,500 bond.

Copyright 2018 WECT. All rights reserved.