Prosecutor asks state to probe NC county finances

    EDENTON, N.C. (AP) - A prosecutor has asked state investigators to look into the budget problems in a northeastern North Carolina county for possible criminal misconduct.
    The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported Wednesday that District Attorney Frank Parrish said he asked for help from the State Bureau of Investigation’s Financial Crimes Unit.
    Chowan County’s reserves dropped in recent years from more than $20 million to $3.4 million in June of last year. The commission says the reserve had dropped to $723,000 by June 30 of this year.
    Retired county manager Cliff Copeland said the reserve funds were borrowed internally and are still on the county’s books as assets.