Court clerk thrown out of office following WRAL Investigation is back on the ballot

A local clerk of court race rarely makes headlines in the lead-up to election day.

That’s not the case in Franklin County where one candidate is on the ballot despite being thrown out of office following a WRAL Investigation.

Patricia Chastain was removed from office two years ago following our investigation into her involvement in a dispute between two neighbors. That dispute had been settled by a judge, until Chastain got involved.

"I have reviewed her file. By law, I’m obligated at this point to mediate this case," Chastain told a homeowner in video obtained by WRAL Investigates

Louisburg attorney Jeffrey Thompson told WRAL Investigates that’s well beyond Chastain’s duties, "In no way shape or form is that her job.

Thompson filed a complaint asserting Chastain inserted herself in a 2020 local property dispute outside her jurisdiction. That interaction and various other allegations of misconduct beyond her role led to a hearing and eventually a judge’s decision to remove her from office.

"It’s very unusual. You’ve had some district attorneys and others that have been removed, but never a clerk of court," Louisburg attorney Boyd Sturges said.

Sturges argued to oust Chastain. The decision was appealed and remanded back to Judge Thomas Lock, who made adjustments to his ruling, but still barred her from holding the office.

However, when voters go the polls in Franklin County on Tuesday they’ll see Chastain’s name on the ballot. In a split opinion, the North Carolina Court of Appeals decided Chastain could run. Whether she could serve if elected is another legal battle.

Chastain changed from Democrat to Republican and ran unopposed in the primary. Shelley Dickerson, the current clerk, is the Democrat on the ballot.

"She feels like she was unjustifiably removed," attorney Robert Zaytoun told WRAL Investigates.

Zaytoun is leading Chastain’s latest appeal. He hopes voters send a message to the courts.

"So, I believe it is courageous of her run and put her face straight in the lion’s mouth," Zaytoun said. "She wants it to be the will of the people and not a small cabal."

Some voters WRAL Investigates spoke with seemed unaware or unfazed by the Chastain dilemma. Lifelong resident Michael Hicks offers his analysis.

"Things don’t always make sense," Hicks said. "Franklin County is Franklin County, and I think they have their own sense of rules."

Voters and the courts could ultimately decide who will be the next clerk.