Former Raleigh Assistant City Manager Lawrence Wray charged with embezzlement
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A grand jury has indicted former Raleigh Assistant City Manager Lawrence Wray on charges of embezzlement and obtaining property by false pretenses.
Police have been investigating Wray's work with the city-funded Raleigh Business and Technology Center [RBTC].
The indictment alleges Wray was the secretary/treasurer of the business incubator on Nov. 4, 2009 when he negotiated a loan for $25,000 to the RBTC at 48 percent interest to be repaid in six months.
Wray allegedly had the $25,000 wired into his personal account and never transferred the money to the RBTC. That required RBTC to repay $48,000 - the amount he's accused of embezzling.
The investigation of the Raleigh Business and Technology Center began last year when an audit uncovered $65,000 in missing money and evidence of mismanagement.
"Lawrence has done a lot for the City of Raleigh. I'm glad to call him a friend," said Raleigh City Councillman John Odom. "He's made some mistakes, obviously. We have a process and I will support and follow that process to the end. It's just a sad day for me because I think he's a good guy, was a good guy but he made a mistake."
Wray retired from the City of Raleigh in 2011. Wray is now out of jail on a $25,000 bond.
