Independent review finds operational failures in Cary finance and workplace practices; firm urges transparency and oversight

John Cook, a partner with Womble Bond Dickinson, presented the firm’s independent review to the Cary Town Council on July 23, 2026, saying the investigation of transactions and workplace environment identified multiple operational failures and offered a set of reforms.

“We looked at many, many P‑card transactions,” Cook said, describing the firm’s analytic approach and its use of a retained accounting firm to focus on larger transactions. He highlighted three recurring red flags tied to purchases associated with the former town manager: weekend charges, a lack of receipts, and goods delivered to a private residence rather than Town Hall. “Those were the things that stood out in their mind as things that require further examination,” he said.

Cook told council reviewers concluded that existing written policies were sufficient in many respects but were not applied as intended. The report found the town’s fund balance policy was violated in fiscal year 2023 and that the former manager misstated compliance to elected officials. Womble also said the internal audit position was eliminated under the former manager, leaving important audit functions unstaffed.

The report’s recommendations focused on three themes: transparency and oversight, financial accountability, and workplace culture and governance. Cook urged the council to publish P‑card and reimbursement records quarterly for the manager, direct reports and department heads; require written notice to council before appropriations out of fund balances; reinstate the internal auditor; and mandate written justifications for real‑estate purchases above $300,000.

Cook also urged culture and governance changes that include periodic confidential employee surveys, an outside consultant to assist with manager performance reviews, whistleblower protections, and a code of ethics certification for staff. “Rebuild confidence through transparency,” he told the council. “Respond in a measured, lawful and forward‑looking manner.”

Council members asked Cook for more detail on the universe of transactions the firm reviewed and how many were judged problematic. Cook said the retained forensic accounting firm analyzed roughly $24 million in P‑card transactions across the review period and used analytics to focus on larger, higher‑risk charges. “Many of those were the former manager’s transactions,” he said.

Interim Town Manager Russ Overton said staff will track recommended actions on a public dashboard, and the council discussed next steps that include implementing several of Womble’s lower‑cost recommendations promptly while studying other reforms more deliberately.

Council members praised the thoroughness of the review and pressed for concrete follow‑through. One council member said the key to preventing future failures is getting “sunshine” on transactions and reporting, and another urged that policies be coupled with enforcement and oversight rather than only additional rules.

No formal vote was taken on the report itself during the meeting; council discussion focused on implementation priorities and follow‑up steps.