Monday, November 1, 2021

Treasurer Folwell Calls for State Auditor to Investigate Rural Hall Recent Resignations of Majority of Town Council Members, Town Manager, Town Clerk and Town Attorney Over Alleged Missing Money Warrants Action

Raleigh, NC
Nov 1, 2021

(Raleigh, N.C.) – State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, called on State Auditor Beth Wood to investigate the financial statements of Rural Hall. The Forsyth County town of 3,351 residents has recently experienced turmoil with the resignations of three of the four members of the Town Council as well as the town’s manager. Media reports and resignation letters from council members cite “harassment” of the town’s manager, Megan Garner, as the impetus for their departure. Ms. Garner has also resigned from her post. At issue are allegations that $1.5 million has disappeared from the town’s bank account.

“Citizens and property taxpayers deserve to know that governance, competency and transparency exist with the administration of the finances of Rural Hall,” Treasurer Folwell said. “At the end of the day, everyone will benefit if the accusations of financial malfeasance are thoroughly investigated so the town can get on with serving the people.”

Treasurer Folwell is the chair of the Local Government Commission (LGC), staffed by the Department of State Treasurer, which has a statutory duty to monitor the financial well-being of local government units including Rural Hall. Auditor Wood is a member of the LGC along with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Secretary of Revenue Ronald Penny as well as others appointed by the Governor and the General Assembly.

“As state treasurer and chair of the LGC, I look forward to partnering with the mayor, Town Council and staff to get it right and keep it right on behalf of the nearly 3,500 citizens who rely on the town for essential services,” said Treasurer Folwell. “Like many instances that the state auditor and I deal with, the integrity and preservation of any documents in this matter is of high concern.”

The LGC provides resources, guidance and oversight to more than 1,100 units of local government on topics ranging from annual budgets, internal controls and debt management to pension and other post-employment benefits such as health care. The State and Local Government Finance Division handles the sale and delivery of most state and local debt and monitors the repayment of state and local government debt.

For more information, visit www.nctreasurer.com.