Charges Dropped, JCC Zoning Official Will Return to Work

By WYDaily Staff Saturday, July 09, 2011

James City County Administrator Robert Middaugh said Friday that county zoning administrator Melissa Brown will return Monday from a paid administrative leave.

Brown had been placed on leave in late May after being charged with seven felonies after she bounced several checks totaling $4250. Two of the checks had been drawn on Brown's husband's business account; the third was written on an account that had insufficient funds to cover the amount. At the time, police said Brown had said she'd make arrangements with the banks to cover the amount but hadn't.

When Middaugh announced he'd placed Brown on leave, he said it was pending the outcome of court proceedings. He also called the incidents "poor decision-making on her part” and said he was troubled because those in authority, like Brown, need to have residents' and colleagues' "faith she will make the right choices ... and the right legal choices."

Middaugh said the county's investigation into Brown's alleged conduct produced no evidence of work-related issues.

On Thursday, Brown was in court with her attorney, State Sen. Tommy Norment. The commonwealth's attorney's office told the judge that Brown's husband had provided an affidavit that said Brown had permission to sign checks on his business account, which led prosecutors to drop the charges against her.

Middaugh said he and the county's development manager Steven Hicks met with Brown Friday morning to discuss the court's action.

"I am pleased to say that Ms. Brown’s suspension, initiated pending the outcome of criminal charges, has ended," Middaugh said in a written statement to the media that announced Brown's return to work. "Our internal investigation has concluded that Ms. Brown’s charges were unrelated to her County employment. We look forward to continuing our working relationship with Ms. Brown."