Lenoir County Woman Charged with Embezzlement
On February 17, 2026, officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to a report of suspected embezzlement involving Hope Restorations.
A KPD detective conducted a follow-up investigation and determined that since 2023, 61-year-old Lori Lanier of Lenoir County cashed multiple money orders that were not deposited into the business’s bank account. The investigation revealed that approximately $83,000 was misappropriated.
As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained warrants charging Lanier with the following:
- Embezzlement (1 count)
- Uttering a Forged Instrument (22 counts)
- Forgery of Instrument (22 counts)
- Obtaining Property by False Pretense (22 counts)
The warrants were served on February 17, 2026. Lanier is currently being held at the Lenoir County Jail.
