A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for one of three former officials with the City of Tryon facing embezzlement and conspiracy charges as the result of a special investigative audit have made their initial appearances and their prepreliminary hearings have been scheduled.
The audit was released in February of 2022. One charge of embezzlement and conspiracy was filed on May 10, 2022 in Lincoln County District Court against Jessica Turpin who served as the Utility Clerk and the Court Clerk in Tryon. A $7,500 warrant originally was issued for her arrest.
Court records show that Turpin made her initial appearance on June 30 before Judge Mueller and her pre-preliminary is set for Aug. 18.
On that date, Special Judge Emily Mueller continued that hearing until Oct. 13.
On Jan. 19, Judge Mueller set the cause for Feb. 2. Judge Mueller has scheduled her preliminary hearing for 1:30 p.m. April 27.