Former Elections Supervisor said she “did not know” she was filing retirement papers.
Carla Strickland said she is “not worried” about a computer drive turned over to federal investigators Tuesday.
“I’m not worried,” Strickland emphasized, “but the election board and Columbus County need to be worried.”
County officials met with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents at the county Elections office Tuesday, and turned over a hard drive from Strickland’s computer. The FBI did not comment. County Attorney Boyd Worley confirmed in an email that the county had turned over the drive.
“The equipment was voluntarily provided to the FBI for review as part of a personnel matter,” Worley said. “The County and State Board of Elections do not believe there are any concerns related to elections or voting systems. Again, this is a personnel matter and we cannot provide additional information at this time.”
Strickland, who retired Dec. 30 after 21 years with the county, said she used the hard drive to transport files when she was working from home. Strickland reportedly took the drive home with her when she was clearing out her office, and later returned it.
“I realized it wasn’t mine to keep,” Strickland said, “so I brought it back the next day.”
The contents of the drive have not been disclosed by county officials.
Strickland said she feels she has been targeted by members of the board and county officials for months.
“In December, I started the paperwork for my retirement,” she said. “I informed the board that I was planning to leave, but I didn’t set a date.”
Strickland said she did not know the paperwork she was filling out with the assistance of Amanda Prince, staff attorney for the county, was her actual retirement documents. Strickland said she had a number of health issues, and in early December she gave the Elections Board a letter from her doctor suggesting she was disabled.
After an “episode” where she was transported to Columbus Regional by ambulance, Strickland said the next day (Dec. 3) she began the process of filing for her retirement from the county. She continued working, she said, until she was “verbally informed” that Dec. 29 was her last day. County officials publicly confirmed to the media earlier in the month that Strickland was leaving, but Strickland said she was in the dark.
The Elections Board announced that at its mid-December meeting would, in part, discuss a replacement for Strickland. The meeting and agenda were posted online as well.
Strickland insisted she did not know she had officially retired until Dec. 29. While she was out on medical leave for part of the month, Strickland was still at work in the office. She said that she was shocked to find out she was no longer an employee of the county.
“The board decided that I was disabled,” Strickland said. “I have a letter from the board about my health issues, but I didn’t say I was disabled.”
Strickland said she feels she was the target of a vendetta by two board members, and that she has consulted with an attorney. She said she has been unable to get copies of Board of Elections agendas or minutes, although they are public records. Strickland said she was forced out.
“I have no disability insurance,” Strickland said. “I can’t afford to live on my retirement. Right now my insurance and medicines have been cut off. I still haven’t received the first check.”
County officials refused further comment, citing personnel rules.
