Housing Authority employee still on job
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on August 31, 2011 1:46 PM
Despite being charged in connection to an investigation into the awarding of roofing contracts to Selma-based All American Roofing, Goldsboro Housing Author-ity Director of Development and Safety Jimmie Farmer will maintain his position with the Housing Authority and will continue to work from his Jefferson Street office, housing authority Director Gene Thomas said Monday afternoon.
Farmer, 59, has been charged with obstruction and making a false statement to a federal agent concerning a bid from All American Roofing that he is alleged to have lied about.
Four jobs at the housing authority were awarded to the firm, with one of the projects having only one, backdated bid.
Thomas, who said he found himself in a "difficult situation," said that Farmer posed no risk to the Goldsboro Housing Authority, so he saw no reason for any action, or for him to not be allowed to come into work.
"He's worked here for a number of years and has a stellar reputation of a good work ethic, honesty and integrity and he is well thought of in the community. After the investigation I found he posed no threat to the housing authority or its staff, so we're allowing him to work pending the outcome of his case," he said.
Thomas did say that Farmer would no longer have unsupervised access to contract files as a precaution.
"He'll get his day in court, and we'll go from there," he said.
Thomas added that there was no indication that there was any transfer of money involved with Farmer's alleged offenses and that the concern all revolved around the illegitimate insertion of a bid into the contract file.
Thomas said he consulted with the housing board prior to making his decision and that the majority of the board members agreed to allow Farmer to continue working.