DANIEL RICHARDSON
Publisher
At the October 22 meeting of the Camden City Council, tensions escalated over an audio recording allegedly capturing city attorney Marcus Noles using a racial slur during an altercation with his wife. The controversy, which began last month, continues to stir emotions among council members, community groups, and citizens.
The issue was first raised in September by Neal Capps and Dana Boggs, representatives of the community organization Sharin’ and Carin’. At the September council meeting, the two brought forward concerns about an audio recording circulating on social media. The recording, they claim, captures Noles referring to individuals with a racial slur while confronting his ex-wife, Susan Noles.
In response to the allegations, Noles denied the authenticity of the recording, stating it was an AI-generated audio clip. Mayor Roger Pafford acknowledged the gravity of the situation, suggesting the council consider having the audio professionally analyzed.
At this latest meeting, held on October 22, Capps shared new details during the citizens forum, alleging that in a private meeting prior to the September council session, Mayor Pafford admitted that Noles had confessed to making the statements heard in the recording. According to Capps, Pafford conveyed that Noles had offered to resign but the mayor chose not to accept his resignation. Capps expressed frustration with the handling of the situation, questioning why the information was not disclosed at the last meeting.
A report was circulated from Daniel Wagner, who was preseneted as a professional audio analysis. Wagner’s report seemed to indicate that he believed the recording was authentic.
Susan Noles, who was present at the meeting, spoke up a few times during the citizens forum, at first formally when she was given the floor to announce that she did not fabricate the recording with AI technology. Then, while Capps had the floor and circulated the report from Wagner, she announced that Wagners credentials were displayed on the report. She said she didn’t know him but just saw his credentials on the report. She then said that he wasn’t paid anything to do the report.
Mayor Pafford addressed Capps and asked who had requested the report from Wagner. Capps did not know whether anyone had requested the report and suggested that Wagner conducted the report without being prompted.
Despite the accusations, Mayor Pafford announced at the close of the meeting that he had no plans to terminate Noles. Pafford explained that Noles had initially informed him of the recording and offered his resignation, which the mayor declined. Pafford’s decision sparked further discontent among some citizens and council members.
The meeting became heated as citizens questioned the council’s transparency and decision-making process. At one point, Capps accused the mayor of “sweeping things under the rug” by withholding information about Noles’ confession from the council and the public.
Tensions mount in heated
Camden City Council Meeting