Frost sentenced to six months in prison for Buncombe fraud

Ellen Frost
INTO THE CORRAL: As punishment for her role in misappropriating $575,000 in Buncombe County funds to sponsor equestrian enterprises, former Commissioner Ellen Frost was sentenced to six months in federal prison on April 28. Photo by John Coutlakis

“‘Embezzling status’ is a term used by the government [prosecution]. It seems apt.”

That’s how Robert Conrad, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, summarized the actions of Ellen Frost at an April 28 hearing. He proceeded to sentence the former Buncombe County commissioner, who had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program fraud, to six months in federal prison and a year of supervised release.

In July 2019, Frost was charged with 11 federal crimes related to her misappropriation of roughly $575,000 in county funds in 2015 and 2016. Without obtaining approval from her colleagues on the Board of Commissioners, Frost partnered with former County Manager Wanda Greene to spend Buncombe taxpayer money on sponsorships of three equestrian enterprises in the name of the Asheville Regional Airport.

Frost’s attorney, Anthony Scheer, claimed that the county had profited from increased tourism due to that advertising at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, Florida’s Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and The Chronicle of the Horse magazine. He said the former commissioner had gained little personal benefit from her illegal activity, thereby demonstrating a “lack of greed” worthy of a lighter sentence.

But Conrad pointed out that, as a perk of one of those sponsorships, Frost had received use of a VIP table in a members-only club at the Tryon International Equestrian Center; as outlined in her indictment, she invited airport board members and other guests to enjoy a complimentary “full-spread buffet and a premium selection of liquor, beer and wine” worth roughly $2,000 per week. The judge suggested that she had acted out of pride, not greed, and that she sought to be treated as a “big dog in the equestrian world.”

The sentence reflected a compromise between federal guidelines, which advised incarceration for 24-30 months, and the joint request of the defense and prosecution that Frost not receive any active prison time. Conrad said that her betrayal of public trust in local government required an active sentence, as he had imposed on Greene and other corrupt Buncombe officials in August 2019.

“I have no excuses. I violated that trust,” Frost said to the courtroom when asked to speak on her own behalf. She offered her “humble apologies” to Buncombe residents and said she would return to a “life of service” on her release from prison.

However, Conrad opted for what he termed a “substantial variance” from the sentencing guidelines in light of Frost’s minimal profit from the fraud and her chronic health issues. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in February 2020, and Scheer had argued that active prison time would prevent her from engaging in the physical therapy needed to slow the condition’s progress.

The judge also did not ask Frost to pay any restitution to Buncombe County. On April 20, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $175,000 settlement with the former official in a separate civil suit; the agreement still allows the county to seek the remaining $400,000 in damages from Greene.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Daniel Walton
Daniel Walton is the former news editor of Mountain Xpress. His work has also appeared in Sierra, The Guardian, and Civil Eats, among other national and regional publications. Follow me @DanielWWalton

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

9 thoughts on “Frost sentenced to six months in prison for Buncombe fraud

  1. Hawkins Stan

    Where were the accountants / auditors / honest people? The “crossbar hotel” cuisine will undoubtedly offer her a more middle class ; you know common citizen menu. Shucks.

    Yet; we still must endure the tax increases along with the “we know best” condescension. Truly; there is nothing new under the sun.

  2. Allison

    Hopefully part of the funds from the restitution go towards men’s and women’s locker room showers at the brand new Buncombe County Schools Aquatics Center. Due to corruption of these individuals, a gorgeous, well designed, and much needed competition pool facility was shorted on locker room showers. How sad is it that this facility wasn’t completed in full because of the corruption?

  3. indy499

    Greene’s kid, who actually personally benefited from his crime, unlike Frost, also got 6 months. Makes no sense.

  4. Keith

    When will the horsey set Mercer family, super-funders of Russian intelligence election coordination infamy, of Tryon be joining her?

  5. semaths

    Ellen Frost is greeted by supporters as she arrives at the federal courthouse in Asheville before receiving six months in prison for corruption. Asheville Citizen Times

Leave a Reply to Keith ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.