Employee accused of embezzling $200K-plus from Currituck fire department

CURRITUCK, N.C. (WAVY) — An employee with Lower Currituck County Volunteer Fire Department has been accused of embezzling more than $200,000 from the organization.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced on Tuesday that 46-year-old Amanda Christine Lamb, of Shawboro, was charged with embezzlement of funds by a public officer. This comes after an investigation by special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division.

She was indicted by a Currituck County Grand Jury on March 25 and arrested the day after.

“Volunteer firefighters dedicate so much of their time and effort to keeping their communities safe,” Commissioner Causey said. “It’s disheartening to learn that money intended to protect life and property may have been siphoned off for personal use. While everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, we plan to make sure that those who donate to fire departments can be sure that their money is well spent. It is vitally important that every fire department and rescue squad have proper accounting checks and balances to ensure fire department money is spent wisely.”

Approximately $205,305 in fire department funds was stolen by Lamb from the department from July 1, 2020 to Nov. 1, 2022, Causey said.

He didn’t share additional information about the case, but encouraged anyone to report suspected crimes by calling 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.

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