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More than a year after the termination of Chocowinity Town Clerk Joy McRoy, the State Bureau of Investigation inquiry into her case continues, the SBI confirmed this week.

News broke of the investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation into former Chocowinity Town Clerk Joy McRoy on Aug. 9, 2022. 

McRoy was terminated on Aug. 3, 2023 two days after she was placed on administrative leave for “failure in performance of duties and failure in personal conduct,” an article from Washington Daily News read. 

An investigation that could bring criminal charges against McRoy has been ongoing for more than a year. Washington Daily News reached out to the State Bureau of Investigation for an update on the case. The bureau did not have an update, but said the investigation continues. 

When the investigation will finish has not been determined. “It’s difficult to say how long any investigation will take as there are just too many variables/factors that differ from one investigation to the next,” SBI’s Public Information Officer, Anjanette Grube wrote in an email to the Daily News.

When it is complete, the case will be submitted to District Attorney Seth Edward’s office for review. Edwards will determine whether criminal charges are appropriate. 

Town leaders met quickly, deciding to fire McRoy and appoint (at that time) deputy town clerk Lauren Hoggard as interim town clerk. 

When McRoy was terminated, she had worked for the Town of Chocowinity for over 23 years and her annual salary was $70,720.