Preceded by Becky Smothers Name Bernita Sims Succeeded by Bill Bencini Party Democratic Party | Political party Democratic Resigned September 10, 2014 Residence High Point, NC | |
Alma mater University of the District of Columbia
University of North Carolina Wilmington Role Former Mayor of High Point Education University of the District of Columbia Previous office Mayor of High Point (2012–2014) | ||
Wghp newsmaker high point mayor bernita sims
Bernita Sims was the mayor of High Point, North Carolina. She was elected November 6, 2012 with 33% of the vote. Sims, a Democrat, was the city's first African American mayor. On November 18, 2013, Sims was indicted by a Guilford County grand jury for allegedly writing a worthless $7,000 check. She resigned on September 10, 2014 after pleading guilty to a felony worthless check charge.
Contents
- Wghp newsmaker high point mayor bernita sims
- High point ciy council holding a special meeting for resignation of mayor bernita sims
- Criminal charges and resignation
- References
High point ciy council holding a special meeting for resignation of mayor bernita sims
Criminal charges and resignation
On November 18, 2013, Sims was indicted by a Guilford County grand jury for allegedly writing a worthless $7,000 check as part of an estate settlement. The bill of indictment said Sims “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did draw, make, utter or issue and deliver to [Annie Ponce]” a check from a First Bank account in High Point that Sims “knew at the time … did not have sufficient funds on deposit with the bank with which to pay the check.” On November 19, 2013, Sims turned herself in at the High Point magistrate’s office. She was later released by the magistrate on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
On September 10, 2014 Mayor Bernita Sims pleaded guilty to a felony worthless check charge and resigned as mayor. She was sentenced to a four to 14-month suspended sentence and five years probation and was fined $500. According to her attorney, Sims had already made a $7,000 restitution payment. Mayor Pro Tem Jim Davis assumed Sims's duties as mayor for the remainder of her term. On November 4, 2014, Bill Bencini was elected as her successor.