Siler City, NC – In March 2021, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office received a report of embezzlement by an
employee of Basic Machinery Company in Siler City. The employee, Cheryl Rouse Fields, 65, of 1367 J Cook Road, Goldston, served as an Administrative Manager and oversaw payroll for the business.
An internal audit by the company uncovered inconsistencies in documentation. Further investigation into the allegations revealed that Fields had routinely overpaid herself for at least ten years. It is estimated that Fields embezzled over $900,000 during her time as an employee.
Fields was arrested on charges of felony embezzlement and felony corporate malfeasance. She was issued a written promise to appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on June 7, 2021.