Former Transportation Director To Pay $25K To Wake School System

RALEIGH, N.C. — A former Wake County Public School System employee is giving back to the school system.

Vern Hatley, the school system's former transportation director, who last month was sentenced to 7-10 years in prison for his alleged role in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, has agreed to pay $25,000 for his part in the scheme.

An attorney for Hatley said the payment is a contribution, not a payback. Hatley has already repaid about $23,000 for illegal gifts he received.

Hatley accepted a plea deal last October for his involvement in the fraud scheme with several other former transportation employees, as well as former employees of a Wilson-based automotive parts company. Last month, however, his lawyer filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

A Wake County Superior Court judge, however, declined the motion. Hatley plans to appeal the decision.

The automotive parts company involved in the fake parts scheme, Barnes Motor & Parts, is now selling off three of its divisions, including the Raleigh store where those orders originated.

The company's attorney would not say if the sale is connected to the fraud case.