Due to an ongoing federal criminal investigation, two employees of the Foothills Regional Airport have been suspended without pay by the Foothills Regional Airport Authority.
The announcement came last weeks and involves Alex Nelson, the administrator of the Foothills Regional Airport Authority and manager of Foothills Regional Aviation, a separate fixed-based operation (FBO) purchased by the authority four years ago.
Nelson has served as the authority's administrator since 2007. He later took on the role as the FBO's manager after the authority agreed to purchase the assets of Speedbird Aviation in 2008.
Also suspended without pay is Brad Adkins, who worked for Foothills Regional Aviation.
The airport, located along the Caldwell-Burke county lines near Gamewell, is a publicly-owned facility and receives funding from the City of Lenoir, Caldwell County, City of Morganton and Burke County.
According to a search and seizure warrant issued by the United States District Court of Western North Carolina, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Michael D. White received authorization to seize records reflecting financial transactions and communications between Foothills Regional Airport Authority, Foothills Regional Airport, and any individuals and side businesses contained within an affidavit.
The warrant also sought records relating to Randy Hullette, a past chairman of the authority, Hullette Aviation, Burkemont Service Center (owned by Hullette), RANMAC, Inc. (which lists Hullette as president), Jeffrey Rose, Grady Rose Tree Service, Jimmy "Ron" Gilbert, Gilbert Grading and Construction, Simon Roofing and Parton Lumber.
In addition, the warrant called for records identifying airport customers and vendors -- along with all bank records, checks, credit card bills, account information and other financial records.
Computer hard drives or other electronic media also were included in the seizure warrant.
According to an FBI property receipt, a computer, computer server, external hard drive, credit card machine, billing invoices, compact discs and fuel slips were among the items seized.
The Foothills Regional Airport Authority released an emailed statement Tuesday acknowledging the investigation.
"The Airport Authority has become aware of a federal criminal investigation involving two employees at the airport," the statement reads. "The Airport Authority will cooperate fully with the investigation, as needed."
The email also states that Brent Brinkley -- a long-time employee at the airport -- has been named acting administrator.
Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons, the city's representative on the authority, confirmed the ongoing investigation. He said that authority members have been advised not to make comments while the investigation is conducted.
Copyright 2012 - News-Topic, Lenoir, N.C.
