Chadbourn Town Attorney Mike Stephens abruptly quit during this morning’s called emergency council meeting, shortly before Mayor Philip Britt and Councilman Danny Clewis almost came to blows on the porch of the town hall.
Mayor Pro Tem Tony Jordan called the meeting without consulting Town Manager Jason Robinson or Britt. Robinson submitted his resignation this week, effective March 31.
Sources close to town leadership said the meeting was called to fire Police Chief Ken Elliot. The town council does not have the authority to hire or fire personnel other than the fire chief, town manager and town attorney. Only the town manager can hire or fire a police chief or other personnel.
Clewis, Britt, Jordan, and Councilmember Avala Nealey were the only members of the board in attendance. Councilmembers Colene Faulk and Rashad Roberts did not attend.
Stephens walked out of the executive session and left the building.
After the meeting Elliot issued a brief statement.
“I am still chief of Chadbourn Police, and my department will continue to do all it can to protect the people of Chadbourn,” Elliot said.
The called meeting – which was not properly publicized – was marked by raised voices from the audience as well as members of the board, both in and outside of the closed session. Shortly after the board went into closed session, Clewis left the meeting. Stephens then left.
Britt came out of the closed session and told the audience that Stephens had resigned.
“For the record, I would like to announce that our town attorney has resigned,” Britt said, before leaving the room.
Britt said after the meeting that Stephens resigned because he felt very strongly that the council was meeting illegally.
Jordan later came out and called Clewis in from the parking lot so the council could close the meeting. Jordan appeared to have words with Animal Control Officer Erica Pierce.
Councilmember Nealy has reportedly claimed Pierce was using blue lights while driving her police-issued truck, sources close to town leadership said. Elliot said the light module for the truck has been disabled so the truck could be used by for Animal Control. Nealy also refused to speak with the investigator assigned to handle her complaint, and instead had her attorney contact the police department. (See related story) In an email, Nealy later denied having any improper contact with any member of the police department.
Jordan seems to ask if Pierce “has something to say” while she is holding the door. A woman off camera confronts Jordan for speaking harshly to Pierce, and he does not respond.
Witnesses said that on the front porch of the town hall, Clewis grabbed Elliot by the arm when the chief was heading back inside. Elliot then told Clewis to remove his hands or potentially be charged with assault on an officer. Britt then told Elliot to go inside, at which point Clewis and Britt argued. Several bystanders were seen restraining Britt. Elliot refused to comment on the confrontation, saying only that “there was an incident on the front porch.”
Clewis has frequently claimed Britt and his wife Shannon, a former council member, were possibly under investigation by federal authorities. Clewis made the same statement during an on-the-record conversation with Columbus County News on Thursday. When pressed, Clewis said he had to “get permission from my higher-ups” to explain the statement. The Britts said that they are unaware of any investigation.
The councilman was ticketed for operating a vehicle with an outdated registration tag in 2024, and was accused of soliciting prostitution in 2018. Former Police Chief Henry White closed that investigation after the reporting officer left the department, eight days after the complaint was filed. A shoplifting charge against the alleged victim was dropped around the same time.
Elliot is one of four candidates for sheriff, facing appointed Sheriff Bill Rogers, Josh McPherson and Kevin Norris in the March 3 primary. Britt and Jordan’s wife Lakisha work for the sheriff’s office.
The town is facing scrutiny from the Police Benevolent Association after two complaints were filed with the PBA by Chadbourn officers. The PBA questioned Britt in the letters about allegations that members of the council were trying to influence the police department, and whether board members were attempting to use officers “for political purposes.”
Representatives of the PBA are expected to attend the March 3 meeting, which Britt said is currently in limbo.
“I’m not sure how we can meet without a town attorney,” he said. “There is not time enough to advertise for a new attorney between now and then.”
