New indictment sheds light on federal fraud charges against Wayne County deputies

A federal indictment shares new details about the charges against one former and one current Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy who have been the targets of an FBI investigation since May 2022.

Michael Cox and Christopher Worth have been indicted for 12 counts of fraud in an alleged bid-rigging scheme, charged with fraudulently directing more than $150,000 in county contracts to a business owned by Cox.

On Aug. 29, Cox was arrested by the FBI at his auto shop, Eastern Emergency Equipment in Goldsboro.

It was the latest development in a federal investigation that has lasted over a year, with law enforcement sources telling WRAL News it centered around alleged corruption at the Wayne County Sheriff’s office.

A federal indictment released on August 30 shares the full findings in the case: both Mike Cox and current Wayne County deputy Christopher Worth have been indicted on 12 counts of fraud.

Federal investigators say from 2016 to 2021, Cox and Worth ran a bid-rigging scheme to direct Wayne County contracts to Cox’s business, Eastern Emergency Equipment. The indictment says while Worth was in charge of Support Services for Wayne County, he also worked for Cox’s auto shop.

“Notwithstanding the potential conflict of interest, Worth continuing working for EEE during his entire tenure as head of Support Services,” the indictment says. “Due to Worth’s position, he and Cox were able to fraudulently manipulate Wayne County’s bid process to financially benefit Cox and Worth.”

Cox has also been indicted for conspiring with drug traffickers to possess and distribute cocaine and oxycodone.

The indictment says in mid-2017, Cox conspired to help the business of a specific drug trafficker, referred to as Drug Trafficker Two in court documents.

“By the end of 2017, the Goldsboro Police Department (‘GPD’) drug supervisors considered Drug Trafficker Two to be one of the largest drug dealers in Goldsboro and planned to target him for investigation,” the indictment reads. “Cox, much to the frustration of GPD, was able to block such investigation. As a result, GPD began to view Drug Trafficker Two as ‘untouchable’ because of his relationship with Cox.”

Cox was also indicted for two counts of lying to federal investigators, after documents allege he coordinated with drug traffickers to have illegal painkillers delivered to his home multiple times in 2021 and then lied to the FBI about it.

Cox is being held in federal custody until trial. WRAL News reached out to his attorney for a response to the charges against him, but we haven’t heard back.

Christopher Worth declined to comment.

WRAL News also reached out to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, asking for a response to the indictment and whether Worth has been placed on leave during the proceedings.

“The County and the Sheriff’s Office immediately terminated all contracts with Eastern Emergency Equipment once federal authorities made them aware of the alleged conduct in September 2021,” the sheriff’s office responded. “The Finance Department and the Sheriff removed any implicated employees from procurement and financial-related decision-making as they became aware of the allegations.”

“As with any other policies, the Sheriff will work with the County to review procurement and conflict of interest policies and update them as necessary,” the statement continued. “Major Chris Worth has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of the charges.”

In August, another Wayne County deputy, Charles Shaeffer, was also placed on leave after his home was searched by the FBI. At the time, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said it hadn’t been made aware of why Shaeffer’s home was searched, or if it was in connection with the investigation into Cox and Worth.

WRAL News asked whether WCSO has been made aware of any connection between the search of Shaeffer’s home and the federal indictment.

“At this time, we do not have any information on the search of Charles Shaeffer’s home. That would be a question for the FBI or DOJ,” the sheriff’s office responded. “Shaeffer was placed on administrative leave after the search and has since taken medical leave.”

WRAL News also contacted members of the Wayne County board of commissioners for a response to the indictment.

Commissioner George Wayne Aycock Jr. said the board has been instructed by the county not to comment on the charges.