HAMLET — The Seaboard City is firing back against a statement made late Friday afternoon by the law firm representing the municipality’s former police chief.
On Sept. 19, the Moore County firm Van Camp, Meacham & Newman, PLLC — representing Dennis Brown, who served as chief of the Hamlet Police Department from 2021 until July 23 of this year — claimed the termination was in retaliation for a sexual harassment complaint made against City Manager John Terziu.
City Attorney T.C. Morphis sent the RO a statement at 9:50 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21.
The statement acknowledges that the city received an allegation of sexual harassment against Terziu.
According to Brown’s attorneys, the alleged sexual harassment incident occurred on July 11 and the then-chief later — how much later is not specified — informed Morphis of the complaint.
“The City takes all such allegations seriously,” reads the Hamlet statement. “Upon receipt, Mr. Terziu immediately recommended an investigation into the matter, and based on the investigative findings to date, the allegation is completely unsubstantiated.”
Morphis later clarified that he conducted the preliminary investigation.
“Moreover,” the statement continues, “based on these preliminary findings, Mr. Terziu has at all times conducted himself appropriately and professionally in his role as City Manager.”
The city says the statement released by Brown through his attorneys “appears to be a calculated attempt to defame Mr. Terziu and distract from his own termination for cause.”
The statement goes on to read:
“The September 19, 2025, article in The Richmond Observer appears to disclose confidential information connected to the harassment allegation. To date, the City has not received a written release from the employee for the release of this information. Both City policy and North Carolina law are clear on this matter: under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-168, it is a criminal misdemeanor for any public official to knowingly and willfully allow access to confidential personnel file information, except as expressly permitted by law. As a former Police Chief, Mr. Brown should be acutely aware of these legal obligations.”
The city adds that Brown’s statements “may contain knowingly false and defamatory claims that damage the reputation of the City Manager, a professional and dedicated servant to the City of Hamlet.”
The city adds that it is “actively pursuing all available remedies.”
“Any individual who seeks to weaponize falsehoods, betray their oath, or unlawfully disclose confidential personnel matters will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” the statement concludes.
“The City of Hamlet remains firmly committed to protecting its employees, upholding the law, and ensuring that baseless attacks on the integrity of its leadership are met with the transparency and accountability the community deserves.”
When Brown was terminated, Terziu declined to give a reason why, citing “internal and external investigations.”
The RO sent a public records request on June 24 for "a copy of the written notice of the final decision ...setting forth the specific acts or omissions that are the basis of the dismissal," per the statute regarding the release of personnel records of government employees.
Terziu fulfilled the request on Sept. 12.
In the written notice, Terziu tells Brown the decision to terminate the chief’s employment was made “as a result of catastrophic loss of trust and confidence,” in violation of the city’s personnel policy.
Terziu declined to disclose the entity conducting the external investigation.
James Carsto was appointed interim chief following Brown’s termination and was sworn in two weeks later.
