Elizabeth Simpers, a former Wake Forest town commissioner and past president of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, has admitted to embezzling thousands of dollars from the organization. Under the terms of her plea deal, she will avoid prison if she complies with its conditions.
Court records show that Simpers pleaded guilty Monday to one count of embezzlement and was placed on unsupervised probation for up to two years. She received credit for 150 hours of community service that officials said she had already completed. Prosecutors stated that approximately $54,000 of the roughly $65,000 allegedly misappropriated has been repaid, leaving a remaining balance of about $11,984.76.
According to WRAL, Simpers pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, while prosecutors dismissed three other charges under the plea agreement. The Wake County District Attorney’s Office provided the restitution figures, and court records show she had already completed the community service requirement before Monday’s hearing. WRAL reported that she declined to comment upon leaving the Wake County courthouse.
How investigators say the money was spent
Court filings, as reported by CBS 17, describe a series of personal expenses that investigators say were charged to chamber accounts instead of personal accounts. The items listed include residential plumbing and landscaping work, Amazon purchases, professional photographs, and a party bus rental.
Prosecutors allege that the total amount misused was in the mid‑$60,000 range and say the charges followed a yearlong review of the nonprofit’s finances. Court documents detail specific expenses investigators say were charged to the chamber rather than to Simpers personally.
Arrest and timeline
Simpers was charged in August 2025 following a roughly 13-month investigation. Town officials publicly posted notice of the charges at that time. She was booked and released on an unsecured $100,000 bond, which she posted the day after turning herself in, according to local reporting.
Chamber response and reforms
The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce said it cooperated fully with investigators and has strengthened its financial procedures since Simpers’ departure. Chamber leaders told reporters they implemented a formal financial‑controls manual and are working to restore trust and transparency with local businesses.
The organization has been under interim leadership since Simpers resigned in 2024.
Legal takeaways
North Carolina law classifies embezzlement of property obtained through an office or employment as a felony. When the value is under $100,000, it is generally treated as a Class H felony. This classification helps explain why prosecutors were able to resolve the case with a plea, probation, and restitution rather than a prison sentence, although actual penalties can vary depending on the circumstances.
