Buncombe County reaches tentative resolution with disgraced ex-manager Wanda Greene

Mitchell Black, Asheville Citizen Times
·3 min read
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ASHEVILLE – Following a mediated settlement conference, Buncombe County has reached a tentative resolution with disgraced former County Manager Wanda Greene, court documents confirm. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will need to agree to the settlement before it is finalized.

Buncombe County accused Greene ― who pleaded guilty in 2019 in federal court to multiple counts of fraud ― of transferring assets to two of her family members to avoid paying a $419,372 debt owed to the county in a separate lawsuit. The county alleged that Greene sent money to her son, Michael Greene, and daughter-in-law, Celena Greene, to “hinder, delay, and defraud Buncombe County and other creditors.” The suit was initially filed July 5, 2022.

Buncombe County Commission Chair Brownie Newman told the Citizen Times Sept. 29 that he anticipates commissioners will be briefed on the matter during a closed session Oct. 3. Depending on the results of that meeting, the commissioners will brief the public on the matter later that day, Newman said.

Wanda Greene, former Buncombe County manager, leaves the federal courthouse with her attorneys Noell Tin and Thomas Amburgey, Monday, August 20, 2018, after being arraigned on charges of six counts of tax fraud in connection to a life insurance scheme and embezzlement alleged by prosecutors in previous indictments. Greene, as well as her son Michael Greene have additionally been charged with wire fraud, conspiracy, embezzlement and aiding and abetting.

The Citizen Times reached out to Greene’s attorney, Walter Daniels, and Philip Anderson, the attorney representing Buncombe County, for comment.

The next board meeting will take place Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. at 200 College St.

Wanda Greene Resolution by Mitchell Black on Scribd

The pending agreement follows a mediated settlement conference between Greene and Buncombe County that occurred Sept. 22. According to court documents, the mediation lasted more than 11 hours and resulted in $5,800 in fees, split between both parties.

An agreement between the county and Greene would potentially spare her from being sanctioned again by Superior Court Judge Alan Z. Thornburg. Anderson filed a Sept. 14 motion for the court to impose additional sanctions on Greene for “failure to obey an order to provide discovery.”

This would be the second time the court imposed sanctions on the defendants for failing to comply with discovery. Thornburg wrote in a March 23 order that the defendants did not make a “good faith effort” to produce the documents the county requested. He ordered Greene and her family to hand over the relevant documents and pay Buncombe County $2,280. This followed a Feb. 10 motion from Anderson to impose sanctions.

Buncombe County’s pending resolution with Greene brings near the end of a chapter of the long-standing legal showdown between the embattled former public servant and the county she served as manager for almost 20 years.

Wanda Greene leaves the federal courthouse after being sentenced to 7 years in prison and ordered to pay a $1000,000 fine August 28, 2019 in Asheville.
Wanda Greene leaves the federal courthouse after being sentenced to 7 years in prison and ordered to pay a $1000,000 fine August 28, 2019 in Asheville.

Greene pleaded guilty in 2019 to two counts of federal programs fraud, one count of making and subscribing a federal tax return and one count of receiving kickbacks and bribes. She was released from prison Jan. 10, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Her original sentence was seven years.

Michael Greene pleaded guilty in 2018 to crimes related to more than $200,000 in purchases made using a county-issued credit card. He worked as the county's business intelligence manager.

More: Trial date tentatively set in Buncombe County lawsuit against Wanda Greene

More: Judge: Former Buncombe Manager Greene’s family ordered to pay sanctions, hand over records

More: Wanda Greene, convicted Buncombe County Manager, set to be released early; Greene now in NC

In September 2022, a federal judge ordered Greene to pay Buncombe County $419,372 as part of a different lawsuit the county filed against Greene related to improper fund usage and spending related to equestrian events, trips and dinners.

Greene agreed to pay Buncombe County $750,000 in a 2019 settlement for illegally using taxpayer money on life insurance, shopping trips, vacations and other purchases.

The federal judge said that neither the settlement nor a $207,660 restitution payment Greene made to the IRS, would excuse her from paying the $419,372.

Mitchell Black covers Buncombe County and health care for the Citizen Times. Email him at mblack@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchABlack. Please help support local journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe County reaches tentative resolution with Wanda Greene