Robert Worley Removed

Robert A. Worley, a magistrate for Columbus County, North Carolina (Whiteville), was suspended in May 2024 after six members of the Whiteville Police Department, including Chief Douglas Ipock, submitted affidavits accusing him of misusing his position for personal gain. According to those affidavits, Worley used records from the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts to investigate a driver involved in an April 16 car crash with his own wife, and separately used private court records for personal purposes and publicly criticized the Whiteville Police Department on Facebook.

Following a hearing that included testimony from Worley and from Whiteville police officers, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge C. Ashley Gore issued an order permanently removing Worley from office, effective immediately, and terminating his salary.