By Jeff A. Chamer
The Charlotte Observer
STANLEY, N.C. — Three former firefighters in the town Stanley were indicted by a grand jury on charges of sabotaging several of the fire department’s operations systems and technologies.
Former Chief Michael Hullett, former Deputy Chief Eric Withers and former Capt. Ashley Price were charged with multiple felonies, a press release from the Stanley Police Department said.
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“Critical public safety files were deleted, mapping systems vital to emergency response were erased, and multiple computers and electronic devices were intentionally wiped clean,” the press release said. “These actions were designed to undermine new leadership and compromise essential public safety systems.”
An investigation was conducted by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, the town of Stanley, and the Gaston County District Attorney’s office. An audit to assess operations and technology systems was conducted after several senior fire department members left in 2023, the press release said.
The audit found the accused erased the department’s mapping system for displaying every fire hydrant in Stanley, blocked access to emergency response software, restricted access to a key system that allows firefighters to enter businesses after hours, and withheld documents about hazardous materials stored or used at businesses.
“These deliberate acts compromised the department’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies, placed firefighters in unnecessary danger, and jeopardized the safety of Stanley’s residents,” the press release said.
Hullett, Withers and Price were each charged with denial of government computer services to an authorized user and damaging computers, computer programs, computer systems, computer networks, and resources.
Hullett was also charged with financial transaction card fraud and larceny by an employee. Withers was charged with obstruction of justice. And Price was charged with accessing government computers, felony breaking and entering, and larceny of breaking and entering.
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