As two city directors face forgery charges, Reidsville considers policy allowing taxpay...

As two city directors face forgery charges, Reidsville considers policy allowing taxpayers to potentially cover legal defense costs

REIDSVILLE, N.C. — Timing can be an interesting thing.

Just as two City of Reidsville directors are facing criminal charges following a State Bureau of Investigation probe, the city is considering a policy that could allow taxpayers to help pay legal defense costs for city employees, former employees, officers and council members.

No, the proposed policy does not automatically mean the city will pay the legal bills for the two directors facing charges.

But the timing certainly makes for an interesting conversation.

The City of Reidsville is considering a resolution establishing a process for providing or reimbursing legal defense costs for certain current or former city employees, officers and council members when legal matters arise from their official duties.

A memorandum dated August 31, 2026, from City Attorney William F. McLeod Jr. to City Manager Summer Moore outlines the proposed policy.

The proposal relies on North Carolina General Statute 160A-167, which permits a city, upon request, to provide a defense for a city employee or officer — including a former employee or officer — in civil or criminal proceedings arising from an act or alleged act within the scope of the person's employment or official duties.

Translation:

Get accused of something while doing your government job, and there could be a possibility that the city helps with the attorney bill.

But there's a rather important little word in the proposal:

"Discretionary."

The city would not be required to pay everyone's legal bills simply because they happen to work for the city.

Requests would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

AND NOW, ABOUT THOSE WARRANTS...

While the legal-defense policy is being considered, two Reidsville directors are dealing with a much more immediate legal issue.

The Rockingham County District Attorney's Office says a grand jury returned true bills Monday against Haywood Nebraska Cloud Jr., 54, and Drew G. Bigelow, 29.

Arrest warrants have been issued for both men charging them with common law forgery and common law uttering of forged paper.

The case began in March when the Reidsville Police Department requested assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

The SBI subsequently investigated allegations involving the two City of Reidsville employees.

Following the investigation, prosecutors presented the case to a Rockingham County grand jury, which returned the indictments Monday.

And that's where things get particularly interesting.

Officials have not publicly explained exactly what documents were allegedly forged, who allegedly received them or what circumstances led to the investigation.

So, for now, the public knows there are warrants and criminal charges — but many of the details remain behind the curtain.

WHO COULD GET HELP WITH THE BILL?

Under the proposed Reidsville resolution, a "Covered Person" could include a current or former City Council member, officer or employee.

The alleged conduct would have to involve an act or omission occurring within the scope and course of the person's municipal employment or official duties.

The proposal also makes clear that a decision by City Council that conduct qualifies for defense does not mean the underlying allegations are true.

In other words:

Getting the city to help pay your lawyer doesn't come with a certificate of innocence.

The proposed policy is intended to establish standards for determining when legal defense costs may be covered, while also addressing transparency, the public interest and protection of public funds.

The city attorney's memo notes that other North Carolina municipalities have adopted similar policies, including Nags Head, Carolina Beach, Greensboro, Fayetteville and Summerfield, as well as Craven County.

THE BIG QUESTION: WHO PAYS?

Ultimately, if the policy is approved and the city agrees to cover legal defense costs in a particular case, the money comes from city funds.

Which means, of course:

Taxpayers.

The proposal does not create a blank check for attorneys. The city would determine whether a case qualifies and whether defense expenses are reasonable and necessary.

Still, the concept is guaranteed to raise some eyebrows.

You work for the city.

You get accused of something allegedly connected to your city job.

You ask the city for help.

And under the proposed policy, the city could potentially say:

"We'll get the lawyer."

The City Council still has to decide whether to approve the policy.

Meanwhile, Cloud and Bigelow face criminal charges stemming from the SBI investigation.

And as always, an arrest warrant is an allegation — both men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

One thing is certain:

In Reidsville, somebody is going to have some explaining to do — and depending on what City Council decides, somebody else might be sending the legal bill.

Original Facebook source: Open post

Source note: Star News TV · Sep 6, 2026 12:05 PM.