RALEIGH - Wake Manager David Cooke needs more time to send documents related to excessive spending and travel by county solid waste employees to District Attorney Colon Willoughby for possible criminal prosecution.

Cooke had pledged to get the materials to Willoughby's office by Friday, but county spokeswoman Marshall Parrish said the effort has been hampered by staff vacations and other delays. Parrish said the documents will be sent to the DA by the end of next week.

James Reynolds resigned last week from his job as director of the Solid Waste Management Division, after public outcry over the spending of now-fired recycling manager Craig Wittig. In the little more than two years he worked for the county, Wittig took at least 50 out-of-town trips -- an average of two a month. He and five subordinates racked up $161,233 in travel costs and other expenses to credit cards issued by Wake County and paid for with public money.

Parrish said Friday that Cooke is still considering personnel action against other employees involved in the scandal.

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