Former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene could spend as much as 33 years in prison for her role in the misuse of county credit cards, a county-funded life insurance scam, and a kickback scheme involving other top former county officials. A plea agreement was filed for Greene Thursday morning, in which she would plead to four charges... two counts of federal program fraud, one count of filing a bogus tax return, and a count of accepting kickbacks and bribes. Greene also could face up to $1 million in fines, and have to pay millions in restitution. A judge will review the deal. Three others have already struck plea deals in the scandal.
Meanwhile, County Commissioners have approved a civil settlement with Greene. It was announced at Wednesday's board meeting Wanda Greene will pay back $750,000 to the county. Buncombe County still has lawsuits filed against former County Manager Mandy Stone, ex-assistant County Manager Jon Creighton, and contractor Joe Wiseman. Michael Greene, the son of Wanda Greene, has reportedly already paid the county $40,000 as part of a similar settlement.