County treasurer accuses administration of bullying and questions timing of legal‑services ratification

Maria Walls, Beaufort County treasurer, used her allotted public comment time Sept. 28 to criticize the administration's handling of litigation and to push back against a council action tied to ratifying legal services. Walls said she had been bullied and harassed in the county building for years and that the administration was attempting to curtail her access to legal services by not ratifying a contract the council was considering.

Walls told council the administration has spent about $700,000 on litigation that “has not gone anywhere yet,” and contrasted that with her office's spending. “I am spending a dollar for every 7 of yours,” she said, and told the council that her office did not personally benefit from the litigation funds cited. Her remarks were framed as part of a broader public comment period; council did not take immediate action on the points she raised but the issue was noted for follow up by staff and counsel.