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Report: Former Buncombe Manager Awarded Herself $240K 'Retention Incentive' Before Retiring

Federal authorities have been tight lipped about the investigation into former Buncombe County manager Wanda Greene.  She hasn't been charged with anything, but there has been a whirlwind of activity and revelations since Greene retired earlier this year after 20 years in the position.  The latest is that she awarded herself with a $241-thousand 'retention incentive' right before she retired - meaning she earned more than $500-thousand in her final six months on the job.  Similar 'retention incentives' were awarded to at least 9 other Buncombe County employees - including Greene's sister, who recently took a different position in county government that included a substantial pay cut.  Greene's son Michael also resigned his position in county government when the investigation into his mother was confirmed.  Asheville Citizen-Times reporter Jennifer Bowman has been covering all of this.  She joined BPR's Matt Bush in studio to discuss the latest revelations - and how Buncombe County commissioners have responded.     

Matt Bush joined Blue Ridge Public Radio as news director in August 2016. Excited at the opportunity the build up the news service for both stations as well as help launch BPR News, Matt made the jump to Western North Carolina from Washington D.C. For the 8 years prior to coming to Asheville, he worked at the NPR member station in the nation's capital as a reporter and anchor. Matt primarily covered the state of Maryland, including 6 years of covering the statehouse in Annapolis. Prior to that, he worked at WMAL in Washington and Metro Networks in Pittsburgh, the city he was born and raised in.
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