‘No evidence’ of sexual misconduct by county manager, investigation finds

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     No evidence supporting allegations of sexual misconduct by Columbus County Manager Mike Stephens has been found by outside investigators contracted by county commissioners, chairman Trent Burroughs said Monday.

     Jackson Lewis, a national law firm with offices in Raleigh, was hired to investigate allegations made by former Columbus County Board of Elections employee Portia Bowen in a letter to the county’s Board of Elections and Commissioners in June.

     Burroughs, following a closed session called to discuss personnel and legal matters, read a statement regarding that investigation.

     “I would like to state that the investigation revealed no evidence confirming the substance of the complaint,” Burroughs said. “All commissioners are satisfied with the results of the investigation, and that this concludes the investigation.”

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