Created: 11/12/2009 5:53:09 PM 
Graham, NC -- The president of the Burlington chapter of the NAACP is accused of skipping court as the State Bureau of Investigation looks into whether he forged checks on his brother's bank account.
Michael Graves, who also ran for Burlington City Council in the 2009 primary, allegedly failed to turn over handwriting samples to clear his name.
He told WFMY News 2 that he and his lawyer were both sick when he was supposed to give the handwriting sample. When he missed that meeting, a court hearing was scheduled. Graves missed that too. He says he simply had the date wrong.
A warrant was issued for his arrest for failing to appear. He turned himself into the Alamance County Sheriff's Office Monday.
The request for handwriting is a result of an investigation that started over a loan involving his brother and sister-in-law.
According to court documents, Cardwell and Jacqueline Graves had a verbal agreement with him to take out a home equity loan on their property. The proceeds of the loan would go to Michael graves.
Cardwell and Jacqueline Graves allege Michael Graves did not stick to their agreement and has not paid the loan. As a result, they stated in court documents, their home is now in default.
During a court case with the credit union about the default, Cardwell and Jacqueline Graves discovered checks were cashed from the home equity account, all of which were forged in the name of "Cardwell Graves," according to court documents.
An affidavit alleges Michael Graves forged a letter to the credit union to give himself full access to his brother's accounts.
Michael Graves told WFMY News 2 he did nothing wrong and that the case will be resolved quickly.
He said it's a "family situation," and that his brother is just not happy with out it turned out.
Michael Graves has not been charged with forgery or uttering, according to Noelle Talley, public information officer for the NC Department of Justice.
Grave's next court date is set for Monday, Nov. 16.
WFMY News 2
