Prosecutors have dropped all charges against York County (S.C.) Library Public Relations Director Phyllis Davis, who was arrested in July for allegedly selling books that were donated for book sales and keeping the proceeds.
Davis had been accused of selling $5,000 worth of donated books online at Half.com since July 2000. However, she showed prosecutors canceled checks, bank records, and credit card receipts indicating she paid for them, the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported October 3. Davis said police did not interview her or ask her for proof of payment before arresting her.
Although Davis told the Observer she was grateful the charges had been dropped, she questioned why police didn’t investigate more thoroughly before filing them. She pointed out that most of the items she sold weren’t even books, and most of the books she did sell had originally been purchased from Half.com, not the library.
Library Director David Lyon said he has remained supportive of Davis throughout the case. Davis had been placed on paid administrative leave until the case was resolved; the library board will meet October 15 to discuss her return to work.
Posted October 7, 2002.