Mayor Faces Charges in Illegal Contracts

CARTHAGE, N.C. — Taylortown Mayor Ulysses Simpson Grant Barrett Jr. was arrested Thursday morning following an investigation into town contracts.

State Bureau of Investigation agents charged Barrett with violations of state laws governing public officers or employees benefiting from public contracts and mayors and councilmen acting as managers.

An independent audit of Taylortown's finances for fiscal 2006 turned up some questionable practices. Moore County authorities asked the SBI to investigation.

In one instance, Taylortown entered a contract without the approval or authorization of the Town Council.

The second violation dealt with Barrett acting as the contractor for repair work done to a home owned by Taylortown.