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Ex-Rolesville attorney turns self in
by Debra A. Golden, Wake Weekly Staff Writer
A former Rolesville town attorney wanted on a charge of felony worthless check turned himself in Monday at the Wake County District Attorney's office.
Zebulon Police Chief Tim Hayworth's office Feb. 11 issued a warrant for Jonathan F. Koffa after Betty Strickland of Triangle East Homes told Zebulon police Koffa had not sent her company nearly $73,000 he owed her for an October property closing. Koffa, who resigned from his part-time Rolesville position in November, had told officials there he was leaving the country to assist with government matters in Liberia. Last week, law enforcement officials were still trying to locate the lawyer. However, one of Koffa's lawyers, Angela DeMent, said Koffa has not been missing as reported in the media. "The DA's office has known for at least two months that we represent him and that when they wanted him to come in we would produce him," she said. Some of Koffa's cases involve international business and he has been traveling in and out of the country since last fall, she said. Koffa was accompanied in court Monday by attorney Rusty DeMent. Hayworth was unable to speak with Koffa at that time, but was told by DeMent that his client would issue a statement at a later date. Angela DeMent said Tuesday she couldn't comment on facts of the case. Bond was set at $100,000. Koffa paid a bail bondsman the required 15 percent and was released, Hayworth said. Zebulon police are investigating three additional complaints filed against Koffa, but "we're not sure if these will be criminal or civil cases" or if the information will just be turned over to the North Carolina Bar Association, Hayworth said. "It depends on the level of cooperation we get from (Koffa)," Hayworth said. The police chief wants to know where the missing money went. In addition to the charge filed by the Zebulon police department, Koffa has also been charged with one count of embezzlement by the State Bureau of Investigations, Angela DeMent said. Koffa is accused of embezzling more than $100,000 in that case. The United States Department of Agriculture issued an injunction in November against Koffa for allegedly "mishand(ling) client funds in his trust account." The injunction states that Koffa can no longer handle client funds. Koffa's next court date is March 15. However, his attorneys are considering waiving probable cause and going straight to the grand jury, Angela DeMent said. And a trial date, she said, is "way down the road."
Last Updated On: February 26, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Wake Weekly