Pilot Mountain's town manager put a family-trip hotel, ammo and a bar tab on the town card
A May 11, 2026 NC State Auditor special report examined 793 town credit card transactions totaling $317,604 made by former Pilot Mountain Town Manager Michael Boaz from January 2022 to November 2024. It found a $419 Westin Seattle charge on a personal family trip to an Alaskan cruise, a $221 alcohol purchase barred by town policy, about $2,300 in Visa gift cards, more than $12,000 in food purchases, $276 in ammunition without receipt or business purpose, and Apple electronics. Boaz also held a stamp of the former mayor's signature used to sign checks, bypassing the second-signature control. The auditor recommended the Board of Commissioners review and approve all of the manager's expenses. Boaz was placed on leave in October 2024. A Surry County grand jury indicted him on May 11, 2026 on one felony count of embezzlement by a public officer; the case is pending.
These sums of money are meaningful to the taxpayers.
the former Town Manager was in possession of a stamp bearing the former Mayor's signature. This stamp was used to sign checks, circumventing the need for a second signature on Town checks by someone other than the Town Manager.
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