CATAWBA CO., N.C. — Federal authorities say Barry Edwards, 65, of Hickory has plead guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for accepting bribes and kickbacks from a private contractor during his time as Director of Utilities and Engineering for Catawba County.
According to filed plea documents, from 2012 to 2018, Edwards and an unnamed individual, identified as the Contractor in court documents, came up with a bribery scheme involving Catawba County government contracts.
Authorities say as Edwards admitted in court on Wednesday, as Director he had the authority to review and award on behalf of the County government contracts to private businesses for
engineering and consulting activities related to the County’s landfill, solid waste and natural gas projects, among others.
As court documents show, Edwards admitted to awarding contracts to three businesses associated with the Contractor, all while getting gifts and other things of value that influenced his decisions including expensive meals, tickets to sporting events, and wine-tasting tours, totaling more than $30,000.
Authorities say Edwards plead guilty before Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler and was released on bond.
The wire fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to a news release.
This is a developing story.
Check back for updates.
