Greene's expense reports reviewed by several Buncombe staffers —including her sister

ASHEVILLE — Wanda Greene's sister was among several county employees who reviewed the former Buncombe manager's expense reports, Chief Finance Officer Tim Flora confirmed.

Flora said Irene Wolfe, a county accountant, is one of several employees who examines employee expense reports, to ensure receipts and proof of purchases were attached and that numbers matched the requested reimbursement. Greene's submissions were among those, he said.

Flora said about five finance staffers review expense reports. As finance director, he ultimately approved them.

More: Ex-Buncombe manager Wanda Greene offered to resign during 2009 investigation, sheriff says

Records obtained by the Citizen Times show Greene, who headed the county for more than two decades, was reimbursed more than $257,000 in a nearly four-year period. The former manager, who's since been indicted on wire fraud and embezzlement charges, submitted transactions for gift cards, online retail purchases and payments originally covered by her son's credit card.

Greene also submitted redacted receipts, using a dark marker or white correction fluid to remove information considered public under state law. Some redactions are poorly done and can still be read, showing she claimed expenses for women's apparel and decor.

More: During last years on the job, Wanda Greene was reimbursed $257,000 in Buncombe funds

Two finance directors OK'd Greene's expenses

A federal grand jury indictment of Greene and her son, former county employee Michael Greene, makes no mention of the reimbursements.

Wanda Greene didn't have a county-issued credit card during her final years of employment, and instead submitted monthly expense reports. Flora has said that method was unique to her.

The reimbursements, which span November 2013 to April 2017, were made under two different finance directors, Donna Clark and Flora. Clark was laid off in 2015 under a reduction in force.

The finance director is an employee of county commissioners. That was unclear, however, during Greene's tenure; Flora reported to Budget Director Diane Price until commissioners formally recognized him as finance director after the county manager's retirement.

More: Wanda Greene redacted her own receipts. Did she violate public records law?

All expense reports ultimately are signed off by the finance director. Flora said he at times questioned Greene on purchases, but the former county manager always readily offered an explanation. He also on several occasions offered staff to complete Greene's expense reports but she declined, he said.

Flora said he was unaware of any issues raised with Greene over redacted receipts.

Wolfe took a new assignment after probe was made public

Wolfe did not immediately respond to a request by the Citizen Times for comment. She is one of two of Greene's sisters employed by the county, along with Peggy Hughes, who works in the jail's identification bureau.

Records show that days after a federal investigation into Greene was confirmed, Wolfe took a voluntary job reassignment and switched from financial services manager to accountant. The change came with a $30,000 annual pay cut.

Her job responsibilities still include reviews of expense reports, Flora said.

Wolfe is one of 10 recipients of a controversial retention incentive program. Selected by Greene, the employees received an additional year of their salary to dissuade them from taking advantage of the county's early retirement program. More employees had taken early retirement than initially expected, county officials have said.

Wolfe was one of three relatives Wanda and Michael Greene were ordered not to contact as they face charges that include wire fraud and conspiracy.

Greene, son accused of embezzlement

Wanda Greene additionally is charged with embezzlement.

The duo are accused of improperly spending $200,000 worth of county funds on gift cards, phone plans and other personal purchases. Both have pleaded not guilty and have requested a jury trial.

More: How Wanda Greene became an accused embezzler, and what's next for the ex-Buncombe manager

In his order, U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Howell said Wolfe was a potential witness in the case and that she had received a grand jury subpoena. Howell also denied the Greenes' request to speak with Hughes and Rebecca Gillespie, Wolfe's daughter. Gillespie is not a county employee but has been interviewed by the State Bureau of Investigation, according to court documents.

"In order for the allegations to be true in the bill of indictment, the court believes more than two people were involved in the conspiracy and fraud," the April 24 court order said. "The court takes no stance on whether Wolfe or other family members were involved."

Personnel ordinance changes approved by commissioners last year now prohibit a county employee from being supervised by an employed family member or serving in a position that would give them influence over a relative's employment, promotion, salary or other personnel considerations.

Any new hires of a county manager's relative would be required to obtain approval from commissioners.