N.C. (WBTV) – The North Carolina state auditor on Wednesday afternoon announced an investigation of alleged financial irregularities within one of the biggest school districts in the state
On Wednesday, Sept. 23, State Auditor Dave Boliek said they have been working for the last few weeks regarding financial transactions and alleged financial irregularities within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
The state auditor’s investigation announcement came days after the district attorney asked for the state to investigate the district.
District Attorney Spencer Merriweather IIIon Friday, Sept. 18, requested in a letter to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for a formal criminal investigation into Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Specifically, into “alleged financial irregularities within transactions involving Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), beginning in fiscal year 2026 and into fiscal year 2027.”
Boliek did not go into detail on what the alleged financial irregularities were, but did say they were looking at a wide range of documents from financial records, budget and contracts.
The North Carolina state auditor said they were in communication and working in coordination with the State Bureau of Investigation.
“Coordination will continue as every audit does because not every audit is there any kind of criminal behavior,” Boliek said. “We haven’t finished the work there.”
Boliek said he’s here to help calm the chaos and deliver accountability and transparency on behalf of the people of North Carolina.
“People want action they want someone that can come in and take some action to bring accountability and transparency,” Boliek said.
The state auditor said they received multiple calls, including him receiving personal calls regarding finances within the district. He said they also got information from residents in Mecklenburg County.
“Felt like answers needed to be given with some respect to some financial transactions within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system,” Boliek said.
In the last few weeks, former the former Superintendent Dr. Hill sent a memo to the board that detailed concerns about her investigation, and brought allegations of extortion, conflict of interest and alleged financial concerns.
Boliek said his office has received a large amount of data and his team is diving into records and documents they received.
“So we’re going to take it all and put it together and let the data and the facts lead us to conclusions, answers and ultimately recommendations,” Boliek said.
Dr. Hill sent a 14-page letter to all school board members as she detailed concerns over – finances, board transparency, and a recent investigation.
In the memo, Hill questioned why a consultant, identified as Raki McGregor, appeared to be receiving payments from the district without a contract or purchase order.
Hill said in the memo, McGregor’s advisory firm Qonnect entered into an agreement with the district. Hill said she was not aware of the contract with McGregor, which allegedly paid him $30,000 a month for one year.
Related –>Man named in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools financial memo resigns from Black Political Caucus committee
According to the memo, in June Poyner Spruill and Qonnect entered an agreement to provide “strategic advisory, influence advisory, and related services” to support their contract with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
In the memo, Hill said, “to my knowledge, no one within CMS knew the purpose or scope of the Poyner Spruill contract with Mr. McGregor’s company except Chair [Stephanie] Sneed and, possibly Vice Chair [Dee] Rankin.”
In September, the memo said she learned through an email there was a second contract with Poyner Spruill. The contract was related to a “compliance assessment of district operations, specifically targeting human resources and finance.”
The memo said McGregor was contracted to receive $132,000 of the $220,000 paid to Poyner Spruill for the assessment.
During his press conference Boliek was asked if his office would also be looking into private companies. State law allows the Office of the State Auditor to investigate private entities when it comes to the public funds they receive.
“If the facts lead us to, we will,” Boliek said.
Several changes were made to key leadership positions within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on Tuesday, Sept. 22, including the firing of the superintendent.
Now-former Superintendent Dr. Hill was fired on Tuesday in a 5-4 vote. She was fired “for convenience” — meaning no cause was needed to fire her.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight was named acting superintendent on Tuesday, she filled in the role of superintendent during Hill’s suspension.
Stephanie Sneed the Chair for the Board of Education stepped down from her role and Vice Chair Dee Rankin was named the new chair person.
The board also voted Tuesday night and named Liz Duvall as the Vice Chair for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.
Copyright 2026 WBTV. All rights reserved.
