Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court Bill Baggs says the push to remove him from office is coming from inside his own party, and he is blasting the petition as a politically motivated hit job. A judge has already found probable cause for the case to move forward and set an evidentiary hearing for next Friday, setting up a courtroom showdown just ahead of local primary season.
What the petition alleges
The removal petition, filed Jan. 13 by attorney Keith Fitch, accuses Baggs of workplace misconduct. It alleges he used demeaning and profane language, made appearance-based insults and flashed obscene gestures in the courthouse, including giving the middle finger. The filing also claims Baggs has lived in an assisted-living facility for more than a year, is often absent or on the job only for limited hours, and at times does not recognize longtime acquaintances, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Judge finds probable cause, hearing set for Feb. 27
A Superior Court judge ruled that the complaint meets the legal threshold to proceed and scheduled a public hearing for next Friday, while declining to suspend Baggs from office in the meantime, per The Cabarrus Compass. Reporting from WCNC, republished by Yahoo, says the petition is backed by a lengthy affidavit that claims staff members effectively assumed day-to-day control of the office and alleges documents were improperly signed. WCNC reviewed the affidavit, reported that it is available on the state eCourts portal, and noted those materials are now part of the public record, according to WCNC Charlotte.
Baggs rejects the complaint as political
Baggs is flatly denying the claims of misconduct and incapacity and insists the complaint is a political move by fellow Cabarrus County Republicans. He told reporters he has undergone cancer treatment, moved into assisted living after storm damage to his home and deals with mobility issues, and argued that voters, not party insiders, should decide whether he stays in office, according to The Charlotte Observer.
How removal proceedings work
Under state law, a clerk of superior court can be suspended or removed for willful misconduct or for mental or physical incapacity, but only after a sworn affidavit is filed and a judge finds probable cause to move ahead, according to the North Carolina General Statutes.
What’s next for Baggs and voters
The timing of the removal hearing collides directly with Baggs’ bid for another term and has the potential to complicate the local primary landscape. His campaign remains active while the court case plays out, but a removal order would sideline him from performing clerk duties during any appeal. The Cabarrus Compass has highlighted the hearing date and the growing local attention, as voters wait to see whether the evidence laid out in court will be enough to unseat an incumbent clerk midterm.
