ROCKINGHAM — A local media personality is accused of stealing money from his place of employment earlier this year.
According to an arrest warrant, 37-year-old Matthew Harrelson, of Deweese Avenue, Rockingham, embezzled $400 from the Richmond Observer between April 30 and July 1 of this year.
The warrant alleges that the money “had been delivered to be kept for his employer’s use,” and that Harrelson took the money “with the intent to steal and defraud” his employer.
His actions were done “without his employer’s consent and contrary to the trust and confidence reposed in the defendant by his employer,” the warrant states.
Harrelson was a reporter and anchor for the local media company.
The warrant was issued on July 30 and Harrelson was served on Aug. 31, according to court documents.
Harrelson is charged with one felony count of larceny by an employee.
He was given a $2,500 unsecured bond and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 17.
Online court records show Harrelson also faces a charge of driving while impaired and an infraction for failing to stop at a red light in Moore County. His next court date on those charges is also Sept. 17.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Harrelson has no previous convictions.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
