State Auditor's Office Coverage

More review in place at DPI after audit finds errors in reporting pandemic money

The state's schools received more than $6 billion in federal pandemic relief, which the department was tasked with distributing. Schools report back what their expenditures were.

WRAL staff

Holmes promises transparency, integrity in taking state auditor office

Former Wake County commissioner Jessica Holmes was sworn in Saturday, officially taking the role of state auditor.

'Authentic and transparent:' New state auditor sworn in after Beth Wood's guilty plea, resignation

A day after outgoing State Auditor Beth Wood finalized a plea deal for misusing a state vehicle, the governor's choice to replace her has been sworn in.

Travis Fain and Eric Miller, WRAL reporters

State Auditor Beth Wood pleads guilty to using a state car for personal errands

State Auditor Beth Wood on Friday pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of using of public vehicle for private purposes.

By Jack Hagel and Chelsea Donovan, WRAL News

Holmes to replace Wood as state auditor

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper named Democratic up-and-comer Jessica Holmes Thursday to replace State Auditor Beth Wood, who is resigning following a recent indictment.

Travis Fain and Chris Lovingood, WRAL News

Wood: State auditor's staff 'doesn't need to suffer' from credibility hit following indictment

State Auditor Beth Wood, who was indicted last week, says 'negative attention that constantly is pounding at the state auditor's office' led to her resignation.

By Travis Fain and Jack Hagel, WRAL News

Beth Wood to resign after hit-and-run, new charge over use of state-owned vehicles

State Auditor Beth Woods announced she will be stepping down on Dec. 15.

NC Auditor Beth Wood to resign following new charge over use of state-owned vehicles

Beth Wood, the four-term state auditor who was charged this week with using a publicly owned car for personal errands, plans to resign on Dec. 15.

By Chelsea Donovan and Jack Hagel, WRAL News

State Auditor Beth Wood charged in state vehicle case

Wood's driving habits and use of state vehicles came under scrutiny following a Dec. 8 incident in which Wood crashed a state-issued Toyota into a parked car. Wood said last week that she wouldn't seek reelection.

By Chelsea Donovan, WRAL News

Former UNC Board chair joins field vying to be NC auditor

David Boliek, who was chairman of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees for about four years until members elected new leadership on Sept. 7, has officially joined the race for North Carolina State Auditor.

UNC Board of Trustees chair may join crowded Republican field in 2024 NC auditor's race

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees Chairman David Boliek is the latest mulling a run for the Republican nomination, saying Friday that he's "strongly considering" a campaign.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Audit: DPI sent $165k to fraudster in phishing scam

The state auditor has found multiple issues with how the department has handled federal stimulus funds, which the department has said are the result of an unprecedented release of funds and limited personnel to manage them.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter, and Chris Lovingood, WRAL anchor/reporter

2 men facing misdemeanor charges after State Auditor Beth Wood's crash appear in court

Jonah Mendys, one of two men facing misdemeanor charges in connection to North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood's December car crash, appeared in court Thursday with his attorney.

WRAL Staff

Records detail Wood's speed prior to hit-and-run

State Auditor Beth Wood accelerated to 32 miles per hour and slowed to about 15 mph shortly before crashing a state-owned Toyota Camry last month, according to records provided by the state Department of Administration.

WRAL News staff

State Auditor Beth Wood pleads guilty in hit-and-run crash

On Thursday, State Auditor Beth Wood said she had consumed two glasses of wine at the Dec. 8 party but was not impaired at the time of the crash.

State Auditor Beth Wood pleads guilty to hit-and-run charge

Wood previously had been attending a holiday gathering before the Dec. 8 crash. On Thursday, she said she had consumed two glasses of wine at the party but was not impaired at the time of the crash.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

State Auditor Beth Wood appears in court for hit-and-run crash case

On Thursday, State Auditor Beth Wood appeared in court for a hit-and-run crash case.

State Auditor Beth Wood's hit-and-run crash case in court

State Auditor Beth Wood's hit-and-run case is heading back to court on Thursday afternoon.

2 men face misdemeanor charges after State Auditor Beth Wood's December crash

One of the men was a passenger in Wood's vehicle when she hit a parked car on Dec. 8.

WRAL Staff

North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood paid $7,700 in damages for hit-and-run crash

North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood, facing a hit-and-run charge, paid about $7,700 in repairs and towing costs after crashing a state car in December.

State Auditor Beth Wood covers damage, towing costs for crashed state car

North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood, facing a hit-and-run charge, paid about $7,700 in repairs and towing costs after crashing a state car in December.

WRAL News

State Auditor Beth Wood commuted in agency car after crash, state fleet director says

Wood was discouraged from driving state-owned cars after crashing a fleet vehicle in December. Using an agency car to commute violates regulations, the state motor fleet director says.

WRAL News staff

Travel logs indicate State Auditor Beth Wood used state-owned car after state asked her not to

New documents indicate that State Auditor Beth Wood drove a state-owned car in the days and weeks after she was slapped with a hit-and-run charge -- and continued using the car even after the state discouraged her from doing so.

WRAL News staff

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Auditor Wood discovers life in the not-so-fast lane

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Unanswered crash questions threaten legacy of State Auditor Beth Wood, champion of government transparency

To those who've known State Auditor Beth Wood, her hit-and-run charge -- and slow response -- stands in contrast to the reputation she's built as one of North Carolina's most respected politicians.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter