Cabarrus County’s Bill Baggs will stay in office after judge tosses complaint
A judge on Tuesday dismissed a complaint requesting the removal of Cabarrus County Clerk of Court Bill Baggs, ending a monthslong saga centered on his competency to hold office.
The removal petition alleged Baggs was unfit to serve because he had engaged in misconduct and lacked the mental or physical capacity to perform his duties. Baggs acknowledged he had made some mistakes, WCNC reported. The court rejected claims that his actions were disqualifying.
In a Facebook post announcing the court’s decision, Baggs thanked his supporters for standing with him through an especially tumultuous time.
“Your encouragement, kind words, and continued belief in me have meant more than I can truly put into words. Walking through this season, I’ve been reminded just how strong and supportive our community is,” Baggs said.
He did not respond to The Charlotte Observer’s request for comment.
Baggs previously told the Observer he thought the county Republican Party had cooked up the complaint as part of a politically motivated effort to oust him.
Last year, he appointed Republican Jeffrey Jones to fill a vacant Cabarrus County commission seat. Text messages sent to Baggs and obtained by the Observer showed Cabarrus GOP secretary Barbara Strang urging Baggs to instead appoint the party’s choice to fill the vacancy.
Keith Fitch, a Cabarrus County Republican whose wife formerly worked with Baggs, filed the removal petition on Jan. 13. He denied the GOP had anything to do with his request.
Baggs won the Republican primary against two challengers in March. He won’t face a Democrat in the general election, assuring his reelection.
“I remain committed, now more than ever, to continue serving this community with integrity, transparency, and the level of service you deserve. It is truly an honor to continue in this role as Cabarrus County Clerk of Court,” Baggs said in a Facebook post.
Fitch said he was sad and disappointed by the result. He filed the complaint after witnessing wrongdoings firsthand and felt he “needed to do (his) part to uncover them,” he told the Observer.
“The case didn’t go the way I wanted, but it exposed some wrongdoings,” Fitch said.
Complaint alleged inability to serve, inappropriate behavior
According to the affidavit, Baggs has lived in an assisted living facility for more than a year, cannot live independently and must be transported to the courthouse. The filing claims Baggs is frequently absent from the office or present only for limited hours and, at times, does not recognize people he has known or worked with for years.
The complaint also alleged Baggs improperly delegated authority, failed to follow statutory requirements and engaged in a pattern of inappropriate workplace behavior.
Alleged conduct included the use of demeaning and profane language, particularly toward women, appearance-based insults and making obscene gestures such as giving “the middle finger” in the courthouse.
The case advanced to a hearing because Superior Court Judge Edwin Wilson Jr. found probable cause that the allegations, if true, could justify Baggs’ removal from office. Baggs continued to work while the case proceeded in court.
Baggs disputed the allegations. He underwent chemotherapy and can no longer use his legs, he said, but he is otherwise in good health. He also moved into an assisted living facility about a year ago after a tree fell through the roof of his home, he said.
Observer reporter Nora O’Neill contributed to this report.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 3:03 PM.
