By Facts News Group Staff
Chocowinity, Beaufort County, North Carolina · Indictments returned October 2026; booked Oct. 27, 2026 · Beaufort County Superior Court indictments and release order
A former town clerk in Chocowinity, North Carolina, is accused of embezzling town money in each of three years she worked for the town, according to indictments returned by a Beaufort County grand jury. Lauren Ashley Hoggard faces three counts of embezzlement by a public officer or employee of a local government.
Status at a glance
- Records confirm: Three indictments, each a Class F felony under N.C. Gen. Stat. 14-92, one each for 2022, 2023 and 2024, each alleging an amount under $100,000 (indictments).
- Records confirm: A magistrate set a $135,000 secured bond, and Hoggard posted bond (release order; WITN; WCTI).
- Alleged, not proven in court: The methods described by the State Bureau of Investigation.
- Not yet known: Her first Superior Court date, plea and attorney.
What investigators allege
The State Bureau of Investigation alleges Hoggard voided utility bills for homes she owned, overpaid herself through payroll and took cash that was meant to be deposited for the town, according to WITN and WCTI. The indictments list an SBI agent as the grand jury witness.
Hoggard became interim town clerk in July 2022 and was fired in August 2024, WITN and WCTI reported.
Arrest and bond
According to the release order, Hoggard was processed in Pitt County on Oct. 27, 2026, on a $135,000 secured bond. She bonded out, WITN reported.
The charges explained
Embezzlement by a public officer or employee is a Class F felony in North Carolina. Each indictment alleges an amount of less than $100,000. Hoggard has not been convicted, and she is presumed innocent.
Documents
- Grand jury indictments (file numbers removed; charges, statute, amounts and "true bill" highlighted)
- Conditions of release order (file numbers removed; bond highlighted)
Still unknown
- Her first Superior Court date. The release order says the clerk will set that date.
- The total amount investigators allege was taken.
- Whether Hoggard has an attorney or has commented.
Sources
- Beaufort County grand jury indictments and Pitt County conditions of release order, State v. Lauren Ashley Hoggard
- WITN, Oct. 28, 2026 – witn.com
- WCTI – wcti12.com
- Washington Daily News – thewashingtondailynews.com
- JoCo Report – jocoreport.com
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