Cary paid a ghostwriter $65,653 in public money for a book about its town manager
On July 16, 2026, the NC Office of the State Auditor released an investigative report on the Town of Cary covering January 2024 to December 2025, when employees made over 60,000 town Visa card transactions totaling $24.2 million. More than 62% of town employees held a town card. The report cited $65,653 for a ghostwriter for a book about former Town Manager Sean Stegall, more than $1 million Stegall spent on property without full Council review, a $3,419 penthouse stay, $1,600 for councilmembers' sunglasses and over $100,000 in purchases lacking receipts. State Auditor Dave Boliek said the spending was not really questioned by the council. Stegall resigned in December 2025. The auditor referred specific purchases to the Wake County District Attorney and SBI; DA Lorrin Freeman's criminal investigation remains open. No charges have been announced.
there's always the possibility of potential charges
This type of spending was acceptable, not only to town management, but was not really questioned by the council.
Over $100,000 in purchases were missing receipts or lacked itemized receipts.
Not yet contacted for this story.
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht said councilmembers assumed Stegall was paying for the book: "Nobody thought it was taxpayer dollars."
No outcome recorded yet.