Politics

Griffin defends hiring of Newman, ex-D.A. who was removed

Sheriff Lowell Griffin poses with Greg Newman, the newly appointed staff attorney for the sheriff's office.

By Bill Moss, Published: September 9, 2026

Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin is defending his decision to hire Greg Newman, who was removed as District Attorney for in 2021, as the new staff attorney for the Sheriff's Office, saying his experience in law practice and as a mayor of Hendersonville makes him a valuable asset.

"We welcome the addition of Greg Newman to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office," Griffin said in a statement. "I am familiar with Greg’s removal as the District Attorney and the politics surrounding that event. I gave a great deal of thought to not only that matter, but also to the fact that he served as mayor of Hendersonville where he gained considerable experience and knowledge of governmental operations"

Newman became only the third district attorney to be removed from office five years ago after a hearing that contained testimony about his handling of a child-sex abuse and other cases alleged victims or the families of alleged victims had brought to his office. 

Superior Court Judge Robert C. Ervin dismissed Newman as the chief prosecutor for Henderson, Transylvania and Polk counties in April of 2021 after a three-day hearing on allegations of misconduct, including that he failed to notify the family of a young abuse victim of a plea agreement he had accepted and lied to a judge about it.

Griffin was one of the character witnesses Newman's defense attorney called during the hearing into his conduct. Griffin and Newman have known one another since the 1990s, when Newman was practicing law and Griffin was a patrol deputy.

"Greg remains a respected attorney by his peers and I feel like both this agency and the county as a whole will benefit from his service," Griffin said Thursday.  "While not directly involved in the investigation or prosecution of cases, a staff attorney is essential to the sheriff for advice on legal matters particular to the office of sheriff which include concealed carry permits, the seizure of assets to satisfy the civil actions,  policy reviews, matters of personnel, and much more.

Newman, who served as Hendersonville's mayor from 2005 to 2009, was district attorney from 2013 until he was removed eight years later. 

"The sheriff contacted me. It was offered, accepted and here I sit," he said in an interview with the Lightning on Thursday. "He and I worked together when he was a deputy sheriff here, and then when he was in Polk County, before becoming sheriff. So yeah, he and I have known each other a long time, and worked with each other for many years."

He responded to the questions about his removal and a state Bar investigation that resulted in a stayed law license suspension.

"I think most people would agree that being removed from DA, that it really shouldn't have that shouldn't have happened," he said. "I made decisions as the elected DA, and certain people didn't like those decisions, and they decided that they were going to come at me. They had been identified as crime victims. I don't know that I would have gone that far, but they were witnesses (in the hearing into his conduct).

"I reviewed the cases and determined some cases were not suitable for prosecution," he said. "There were problems with others, and I reduced (the charges and accepted plea agreements). But nobody can argue the fact that we tried many many cases and were successful prosecuting many many cases. But I had to make decisions that were supported by evidence and to this day I stand by that.”

Newman replaces Ron Justice, who retired on Aug. 28 after serving as staff attorney since 2018.

"After decades of service that included the North Carolina Army National Guard and Army Reserve, Hendersonville Police Department, Probation and Parole, private practice, and his role as Staff Attorney for our office since 2018, Ron Justice is retiring," Griffin said in a Facebook tribute to Justice.