Official pleads guilty in sex case

Deal could allow clean record after service, probation

SALISBURY -- Cabarrus County Commissioner Coy Privette pleaded guilty to six counts of aiding and abetting prostitution Wednesday morning, as part of a plea arrangement that could eventually allow him to have a clean criminal record.

Rowan County District Attorney Bill Kenerly said he negotiated a plea deal that will allow Privette's criminal record to be expunged if the commissioner completes 48 hours of community service and serves a year of probation. Kenerly said the deal is part of a program for first-time offenders.

Kenerly said he was more concerned about "making sure the behavior stopped" than making sure Privette had a criminal record.

Privette was arrested June 19 on prostitution-related charges. Warrants accuse Privette of paying Salisbury resident Tiffany Denise Summers for sexual acts on occasions from May 4 through June 25 in a Salisbury hotel room.

Privette, 74, a retired Kannapolis Baptist preacher, became a statewide political force championing traditional morals during a political career that stretches back into the 1960s. He was a state House member during the 1980s and early 1990s. He's been a commissioner in Cabarrus County since 1998.

Law enforcement sources told the Observer they became involved when they learned about a woman who had two blank checks with Privette's signature and who tried to cash one.

When bank officials became suspicious and called Privette with questions, Privette filed a forgery affidavit, according to police.

The bank reimbursed Privette and asked police to investigate. Kenerly and Cabarrus County District Attorney Roxann Vaneekhoven said this month they would not file criminal charges related to the checks because they didn't have enough evidence to prosecute the case.

Summers, 32, also was arrested on June 19 on six charges of prostitution. Prosecutors said they also expected to dispose of her case today.

As Privette left the courtroom, he was asked whether he would resign as county commissioner.

His lawyer said, "We'll address that later."