CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A Catawba County official is accused of using his position to collect thousands of dollars of gifts in exchange for government contracts, according to charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina.
Barry Bryan Edwards, the county’s former director of utilities and engineering, is charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.
Court documents allege that from at least 2012 to 2018, Edwards conspired with a government contractor to use his position in Catawba County for his personal gain.
Edwards, who began working as director of utilities and engineering in 1995, was responsible for negotiating, reviewing and approving contracts with private contractors for engineering and consulting for county projects.
Over the years, Edwards received tickets to sporting events, wine and wine tasting tours, hotel lodging and trips and expensive meals for him and his wife totaling an estimated $30,000, court documents said.
Catawba County Director of Utilities and Engineering, Barry Edwards is charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States. Docs allege he solicited/received gifts in exchange for contracts. We are checking on his employment status. 1/2 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/FJRE7Upc1I
— Michael Stolp (@StolpWSOC9) February 2, 2022
In return, the government contractor received preferential treatment during contract negotiations with Edwards, court documents said.
Edwards retired from Catawba County in November 2018, an official from the county said.
According to court documents, Edwards has agreed to a plea deal, but it has not been officially accepted. A date for the plea hearing has not been set.
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