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Newman reprimanded for actions in 2015 rape case

POLK COUNTY—Polk County’s District Attorney Greg Newman was disciplined last week over how he handled a rape case in 2015. 

A grievance committee gave Newman a 3-year stayed suspension on Friday. 

The North Carolina Bar accused Newman of failing to notify an alleged child rape victim’s parent of court updates and of making false statements about the 2015 case. 

The Henderson County case in 2015 involved the indictment of James Sapp, where he was charged with the rape of a child. The case went to superior court, where Sapp was given a plea deal for a misdemeanor, according to court records. 

The complaint against Newman was that the family claimed they wanted to be present during the hearing. 

The committee found that Newman’s office did not contact the family before a plea was reached and that Newman falsely informed the court that the victim’s family had been notified of the plea and did not want to be heard. 

The 3-year stayed suspension allows Newman to continue practicing law, as long as he follows requirements and does not break any state laws. 

Newman is the district attorney for Polk, Henderson and Transylvania counties.