RALEIGH, N.C. — The state auditor announced plans Tuesday to closely review and watch state spending.

The audit will use existing resources to analyze millions of transactions.

The goal is point out unusual trends and potential problems.

Les Merritt, the state auditor, said this kind of strategic audit may have detected the fraud within the Wake County Public School System's Transportation Department.

Five people, including former transportation department head Vern Hatley, have been charged in that multi-million-dollar case.