MARTIN COUNTY, NC (WITN) – A former county commissioner is accused of using the Martin County Council on Aging credit card for personal purposes.

Charmaine Hardison, the former director of social services for Martin County, is charged with 14 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.

The 14-count indictment alleges Hardison used the Martin County Council on Aging credit card to purchase everything from life insurance and cigars to a Crest teeth whitening kit from Amazon.

According to the indictment, the purchases took place between July 2016 and September 2019.

Hardison became director of the Martin County Department of Social Services in June 2020 and was fired from the county in October 2020, according to interim county executive Benjamin Eisner.

Hardison is also the former director of Martin County Adult & Aging Services. During her tenure, she was named Martin County Citizen of the Year in March 2019.

The Martin County Council on Aging is a separate nonprofit organization from the county, but is led by the Martin County Director of Adult and Senior Services.

Paul Roberson, who has been vocal about his concerns with government officials in Martin County, said, “This indictment was urgently needed to expose the wrongdoings at the Council on Aging. The citizens of Martin County are grateful to you and your staff for bringing justice to this matter.”

However, according to Roberson, more needs to be done.

“I am also aware of the SBI investigation into the former Martin County Manager’s salary increases signed by Commissioner and former Chairman Ronnie Smith,” he said. “After submitting public records requests, I am convinced that our local county government was riddled with corruption and misuse of state funds during this time period. The citizens of Martin County demand justice in these matters as well.”

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