Lauren Ashley Hoggard, who replaced a North Carolina town clerk accused of embezzling more than $500,000, is now facing three felony indictments of her own.
The former Chocowinity clerk was arrested on Oct. 27, 2026, after a Beaufort County grand jury returned three true bills of indictment.
One indictment alleges that Hoggard misused town cash in 2022, while two others concern utility-account credits in 2023 and 2024.
Each places the alleged property value below $100,000 without specifying an exact loss.
Former Clerk Accused of Canceling Her Own Utility Bills and Inflating Pay
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said Hoggard allegedly voided utility bills for her personal residences instead of paying the charges.
Investigators also accused her of paying herself more than she was entitled to receive through the municipal payroll system and taking cash that should have been deposited into the town’s bank account.
Two Indictments Identify Utility Credits From 2023 and 2024
The indictment covering alleged misconduct in 2023, filed as 26CR004893-060, accuses Hoggard of embezzling and misapplying credited value belonging to the Town of Chocowinity Utility Department. A second indictment, 26CR004894-060, makes the same type of allegation concerning 2024.
Both filings identify Hoggard as the town clerk entrusted with the property and cite North Carolina General Statute 14-92. Each describes the property involved as worth less than $100,000, the threshold associated with a Class F felony under that law.
The three indictments are dated Oct. 26, 2026, and marked as true bills. The North Carolina eCourts registers show the cases were filed on Oct. 27, the same day Hoggard was arrested.
Third Indictment Covers Alleged Theft of Town Cash in 2022
A third indictment, 26CR004892-060, concerns U.S. currency belonging to Chocowinity in 2022. It accuses Hoggard of embezzling and misapplying town money entrusted to her as clerk.
According to WITN’s September 2024 reporting, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and district attorney requested an SBI investigation of Hoggard on July 26, 2024. WITN obtained a termination letter showing she was placed on unpaid administrative leave on Aug. 20 and dismissed the following day. The letter cited failure to perform her duties and personal conduct, and Michelle Peele subsequently assumed the interim clerk position.
Her Predecessor Faced Eight Felonies Over More Than $500,000
Hoggard had replaced Joy Annette McRoy as town clerk in July 2022. McRoy had also served as Chocowinity’s finance officer and became the subject of a separate state investigation after leaving the position.
According to the SBI’s December 2023 announcement, McRoy was accused of embezzling more than $500,000 from municipal funds between 2015 and 2022. Investigators alleged she increased her own payroll and used town credit cards for personal purchases.
A Beaufort County grand jury indicted McRoy on Dec. 11, 2023, on eight counts of embezzlement by a public officer or employee. Three counts were Class C felonies involving at least $100,000 apiece, and five were Class F felonies; McRoy surrendered to authorities the following day.
WITN reported that McRoy had worked for the town for more than 23 years. Mayor James Mobley Jr. said the town contacted local authorities about its financial records in July 2022, leading to the earlier investigation.
One $135,000 Bond Covers All Three Felony Cases
Beaufort County Superior Court registers show that arrest orders were returned as served in all three cases on Oct. 27. An Oct. 27 release order identifies a single $135,000 secured bond covering the cases. The registers show it was posted that afternoon through a professional surety.
Notices issued after the indictments state that the district attorney will set a Superior Court appearance date. The cases remained pending as of Oct. 31.