Cleveland County Sheriff Joe Lester has submitted his resignation amid accusations of financial mismanagement.

Chairman of the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners Darry Stacy confirms that Lester submitted his letter of resignation Oct. 2. Lester's resignation comes just weeks after an audit found financial mismanagement in his office. The audit, conducted from July 2011 to June 2016, said the shortfall was from "management, operation, record keeping and accounting systems."

In March 2017, Lester filed a lawsuit against the county claiming the board of commissioners and budget board failed to fund the county jail. That lawsuit has been dropped.

The Cleveland County Commissioners still plan to respond to the audit findings.

Cleveland County Commissioners announced that they will be giving qualified applicants the opportunity to apply for the role of interim sheriff by 5p.m., Friday, Oct. 6.

Applications can be sent to the Human Resources department of the county.

Applicants must meet the qualifications as specified with Title 19-510 of state statutes.

Once the application process is closed, Commissioners will meet and interview potential candidates in special executive sessions on October 12th and 13th. An additional executive session on October 16th to discuss the final decision will also be scheduled.





