Harnett Dispatch

A Web of Paper Trails in County Lawsuits

The Harnett Dispatch

Daniel Glover

Harnett Dispatch Investigates Section:               

Today the Harnett Dispatch received an article that was printed in the Daily Record and written by news editor Brian Haney. In this article Commissioner Jim Burgin, Commissioner Gary House and former Harnett County employee Randy Rogers had passed the deadline to turn over any documents that the individuals may have had in their possession concerning the lawsuit against Gary House and Randy Rogers.  Attorney Senter representing the county on behalf of the lawsuit denied an extension to turn over the documents. The 3 stated that they did not have any documents that they were not entitled to have as County Commissioners. The representing attorney that requested the extension, Bruce Berger requested that an extension be made for the 3.  Mr. Berger is part of the law firm Knott, Berger & Miller out of Raleigh, North Carolina.

In the latest whistleblower lawsuit that was unsealed earlier this week the attorneys representing Mr. Rogers and former county employee Ricky Temple was the same group and attorney that represented both Commissioner House and Commissioner Jim Burgin in the other lawsuit. With the connection of the attorney one would speculate that this was a known, the connection of this case has not been verified and are only observations of the use of the same attorney. The whistleblower lawsuit would have been a huge payday for Randy Rogers and former employee Ricky Temple if the Federal Government had found merit to the case.

One group that has formed for truth and transparency in Harnett County, named Harnett County Citizens for Truth in Government said that “it’s time that the truth and some real answers are given on behalf of Commissioner Burgin and House. This whistleblower suit could have crippled the financial stability of the County.”

The views and statements found in the Harnett Dispatch Investigates Section are based on commentary from outside sources through public forum; these statements are not the views and opinions of the Harnett Dispatch. The Harnett Dispatch does not hold these statements to be true nor false statements and are based on the information presented to the writer and The Harnett Dispatch. The Harnett dispatch further does not take liable authority for the commentary section of any part of the printed material.