Today, the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) released an investigative report of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. The report concluded that over 900 inmates did not receive their money back upon release from custody.
When inmates are booked, money in their possession is deposited into an inmate fund bank account. When released, any remaining funds an inmate has are supposed to be returned. OSA’s investigation shows the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office did not always return these funds. Between November 2009 and April 2024, 914 individuals released from custody weren't given their funds back. In total, the 914 inmates were owed $19,272.
“As a result of this investigation and what our team found and reported on, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has taken steps to rectify the wrong that’s been done,” said State Auditor Dave Boliek. “I’ve also reached out to the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association to offer my office’s assistance to sheriffs across the state. Together, we’ll be working on best practices to help make sure this issue doesn’t occur elsewhere.”
The investigation also shows the inmate fund bank account had an unsupported balance that grew to $354,804 from 2021 through 2024. The sheriff's office maintains the unsupported balance has been significantly reduced, but OSA still recommends the sheriff's office work with the Buncombe County Finance Department on the matter. In their response to the investigation, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office indicated those who are owed money have been identified and are being contacted.