BELHAVEN — The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into allegations of election law violations by Belhaven Mayor Adam O’Neal.

The investigation officially began last week.

The allegations claim O’Neal’s mayoral campaign may have illegally solicited votes in last year’s election.

SBI Public Information Officer Shannon O’Toole said the investigation was initiated by allegations presented to the SBI by the Office of the State Auditor.

“We are not going to be able to elaborate on the allegations other than that they are election-fraud related,” O’Toole said.

Bill Holmes, director of external affairs for the State Auditor, said he could neither confirm nor deny that the auditor’s office initiated it.

Holmes said the office had no comment to give regarding the allegations or the investigation.

O’Neal briefly addressed the matter at Monday’s Board of Aldermen meeting, saying the accusations are false and the continued scrutiny on the Town of Belhaven is unwarranted. He told the board and public he has nothing to hide.

“I have never and would never pay for a vote. There is no evidence that I bought votes because I didn’t. This investigation is just the latest effort by the wealthy anti-hospital people to undermine our effort to reopen our hospital,” O’Neal said in a statement on Wednesday.

After Vidant Pungo Hospital closed in 2014, town officials and some residents began a campaign to reopen the facility. During the November 2015 election, O’Neal openly ran on a platform in support of the hospital, and while his opponent Ricky Radcliffe did not take an official stance on the matter, some viewed his camp, Belhaven United, as against the reopening.

“Some people ask me why I put up with the assaults and abuse that come with being mayor of Belhaven. I weather the relentless storms because I know people are needlessly dying due to the lack of an emergency room,” O’Neal stated. “I will do all I can do because someone’s life is depending on it in the future.”

According to 2015 election spending reports, Radcliffe’s campaign reported $7,341.44 in funds raised as of Oct. 19, 2015. O’Neal’s campaign, referred to as the People’s Partnership for Belhaven, reported $4,625 in funds raised as of the same date.

The recent allegations reportedly involve personal, behind-the-scenes exchanges, although the SBI declined to confirm that at this time.

O’Neal has served as mayor of Belhaven for about 11 years, elected to his sixth term in November by a margin of 60 votes.