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On October 7, the Belhaven Police Department issued arrest warrants for 61-year-old Veronica Ward of Belhaven, charging her with eight counts of Felony Embezzlement and three counts of Felony Identity Theft.

The arrest followed a nearly three-month investigation into reports of financial fraud impacting local nonprofits – the Belhaven Celebration Committee and the Belhaven Memorial Museum.

Ward was accused of embezzling $15,380 from the museum and $13,491 from the celebration committee.

Ward voluntarily turned herself in at the Beaufort County Magistrate’s Office on October 7, where she was processed and is being held on $54,000 secured bonds.

“Belhaven 136 is fully aware of the alleged financial fraud associated with previous fundraising efforts for the museum,” said Carol Roop, president of Belhaven 136, a nonprofit organization currently raising funds to repair, restore, and reopen the museum, and executive director of the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce. “We want to assure the public that no one serving with our organization was affiliated in any way with the prior issues. In fact, we identified potential financial irregularities of a previous fundraising effort and reported what we uncovered to the local police.”

Roop added that Belhaven 136 has and will continue to ensure that appropriate and effective financial safeguards are in place. “Unlike previous fundraising efforts not affiliated in any way with Belhaven 136, our banking account for this effort can and will now be viewed regularly by multiple people, and our financials will be audited annually,” said Roop. “Members of the public can be assured their contributions will be used appropriately and very efficiently.”

Belhaven 136 is a member of the NC Small Town Main Street program, which is building local capacity for downtown revitalization, small business development, and rehabilitation of historic properties. The effort to prepare and restore the Belhaven Memorial Museum is being led by Dawson Tyler, founder and owner of Down East Preservation. “We are currently working towards an April 1, 2026, reopening of the museum, so that it once again becomes a great source of pride for our community,” said Roop. 

“The Belhaven Celebrations Committee and the Belhaven Memorial Museum are deeply rooted in our community, and the trust placed in those who manage their operations is critical,” said Wesley Waters, Chief of the Belhaven Police Department. “This case serves as a reminder of the importance of oversight and accountability in all community-based organizations. We appreciate the cooperation of both groups in bringing this investigation to a close.”

To learn more about the restoration efforts or to make a contribution, go to  www.belhavenmuseum.org.

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