Disciplinary Action

The Real Estate Licensing Board suspended the broker's license of J. EDWARD SWICEGOOD, JR., of Lexington for nine months for mishandling rents collected on behalf of a property owner whose property he managed. The Board found that Swicegood deposited the rents into his business account rather than his escrow account, and two checks issued to the owner for rental proceeds were returned for insufficient funds. After the complaint was investigated, Swicegood repaid the delinquent funds to the owner with interest.

The Licensing Board suspended the broker's license of MARVIN D. DICKENS of Fayetteville for 90 days for using rental security deposits in his escrow account for personal purposes. The Board noted that Mr. Dickens has restored all of the funds in question to his escrow account.

The Licensing Board publicly censured JOHN T. BELL of Golclsbo for engaging in racial discrimination in the marketing and sale of property developed by him in Morehead City. The Board found that Mr. Bell told his sales agents not to sell the properties to black persons. The Board also referred the record of the case to the United States Attorney. Although the Board's action was taken in August, 1981, the decision was stayed while Bell appealed to the Wake County Superior Court. He recently withdrew the appeal.

The Licensing Board reprimanded broker CLAUD LIN BROOKS of Wilkesboro for failing to deposit earnest money in his trust or escrow account within the time required by the Board's regulations, and failing to maintain proper records of the transaction, including a copy of the offer to purchase.