Sheriff's Office employees clear investigations

Two employees of the Macon County Sheriff's Office have been cleared of wrongdoing in two separate incidents, according to a public statement from the department. Sheriff Brent Holbrooks shared the statement on social media on Friday, Nov. 6, to "address some rumors" that "as many as six officers" were being investigated. Holbrooks said only two employees had been under investigation. One unnamed deputy was investigated for conduct relating to an alleged altercation with an intoxicated individual, of which the deputy was cleared following an internal investigation at the department separately reviewed by the State Bureau of Investigation. Holbrooks also acknowledged rumors regarding a decision to place an officer on leave nearly six months ago as the officer was investigated by the SBI for improper handling of funds. Holbrooks said the funds were not county funds and that the officer had been cleared and returned to work. Holbrooks did not name former Patrol Captain Nick Lofthouse, but Lofthouse issued a separate statement through his social media on Thursday, Nov. 5, saying he was placed on paid leave on Thursday, June 11, without warning and without being given details of what he was being investigated for. Lofthouse and Holbrooks both said he was cleared in the investigation. However, he was demoted and moved to a separate division upon his return to work, according to Chief Deputy Dereck Jones. For now, Lofthouse will serve as the lieutenant overseeing training and training records. For the period Lofthouse was on leave, Jones said Patrol Lt. Eddie Crawford handled everyday operations, while Jones oversaw division budget measures. Jones said the Sheriff's Office will no longer be working with Lofthouse's businesses, which provided uniform and other services to the department. Lofthouse stated in his post, "Today, after 16 long weeks of uncertainty, I've officially been cleared. The SBI and the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, two separate, impartial entities, reviewed the allegations and conducted their respective processes. After everything, I've been cleared to return to work." "I don't think I can adequately explain what the last 117 days have been like for me or my family. Imagine dedicating nearly two decades of your life to a profession, only to have everything you've worked for suddenly hanging in the balance … With the hardest part of it all being that you have absolutely no control over any of it. Little to no information. Almost no updates. No real answers. Just waiting," he said. "The next step is obtaining the investigative files, records and notes so I can fully understand how this happened, what was said, what was done and what wasn't done. That process has already begun." Lofthouse said it was also difficult for him to see rumors circulating on social media, with friends and coworkers sharing their "true colors" in the process. "Today, I get to return to the job I love. My name has been cleared, and my 18-year career in law enforcement can continue. For that, I'm thankful," he said. "I'm thankful for the people who stood by me, checked on me, and refused to let rumors change what they knew about my character. And more than anything, I'm thankful for my family, who have carried the weight of this right alongside me." A representative of the SBI confirmed one of Lofthouse's businesses was the subject of the investigation, but could not elaborate further on the case. The Conference of District Attorneys issued no comment on the proceedings. The insurance company COFACE North America on July 27 filed a civil complaint against Lofthouse, alleging a balance of $33,035.64 was accumulated by Lofthouse for "goods and services provided and accepted by" Lofthouse. The case was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff on Aug. 24.

Sheriff's Office employees clear investigations

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