Victims of an alleged timber theft scheme are invited to attend a meeting with representatives of Congressman David Rouzer Sept. 8 in Whiteville.
Joel Blake Lee, 55, is out on a secured bond, facing multiple charges of timber theft, exploitation of the elderly, forgery of deeds or wills, and obtaining property by false pretenses. The Clayton man was arrested by the NC. Forest Service in July.
Lee, representing Frontier Timber, allegedly misled landowners in Columbus, Pender, Chatham, Wayne and Onslow counties, tricking them into selling timber at lower than market rates or in some cases forging paperwork so he could harvest their land.
Lee allegedly sent letters to some landowners soliciting the right to harvest their property, promising to reseed and help maintain woodlands. Once he gained the victim’s trust, the land would then be clearcut and left without being cleared, cleaned or reseeded. In some cases the clients were allegedly never paid or paid far below market value for the timber.
The meeting will be held at the Cooperative Extension Office, 45 Government Complex Rd., Whiteville, for 9-11 a.m. Sept. 8. For more information Contact Rouzer’s office in Bolivia.
