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The town of Cary has been in the spotlight since late November, when Town Manager Sean Stegall was put on administrative leave without any explanation from the town. Stegall resigned Dec. 13, 2025, amid reports of questionable spending. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer.
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Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Thursday her office will continue its investigation into whether financial misconduct in Cary rises to the level of criminal wrongdoing.
Freeman said she has just started reviewing the NC auditor’s findings released Thursday, but their offices have already shared information and “many of the things that they flagged are things that I flagged.”
The auditor’s report showed 62% of Cary employees had access to procurement cards, and in 2024 and 2025 those transactions totaled more than $24 million.
It listed many expenses deemed questionable, including: a $3,419 penthouse accommodation for resigned Town Manager Sean Stegall; $1,600 for 10 pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses; and $121,314 for video production about a town retreat in Wilmington.
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Freeman said she opened the criminal investigation when the spending issues came to light last fall, and that the town has provided information since.
From here, her work involves determining what in the financial records might constitute a violation of the law.
“A lot of times,” Freeman said, “what may be poor management is not necessarily criminal.”
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This story was originally published July 16, 2026 at 12:14 PM.