A former finance officer from the town of Summerfield, Dee Hall, has publicly responded to accusations of authorizing improper payments and violating town policies. Hall expressed her shock upon learning about these allegations through a sudden influx of phone calls on Tuesday evening. She watched a presentation by the former state Auditor Beth Wood, which was streamed live during a Town Council meeting on the town's YouTube channel. According to Hall, this revelation left her feeling both astonished and disbelieving.
Hall served as the town’s finance officer for over eight years before resigning along with eight other employees due to what they described as a "toxic work environment" fostered by the new Town Council. She firmly believes that the Town Council is attempting to tarnish her and Scott Whitaker's reputations as an act of retaliation. Hall vehemently denies all accusations against her and Whitaker, calling them damaging and life-altering. She emphasized that some of the claims are even criminal in nature. The Town Council initiated an investigation into the alleged improper payouts before Whitaker and the staff departed last year. The audit conducted by Wood suggested that employees were compensated for vacation time they had not earned, among other policy breaches.
Hall acknowledged the possibility of making mistakes over an eight-year tenure but insisted that nothing she did violated town policies or ethics. In response to the ongoing scrutiny, the Town Council has unanimously agreed to conduct a forensic audit and continue the investigation. Hall is now contemplating whether to pursue legal action against these allegations. This situation underscores the importance of transparency and integrity in public office, highlighting the need for thorough investigations to uphold the trust between government officials and the community they serve.