State Auditor: No Evidence NC State Employee Misused Government Vehicle

RALEIGH — A state investigation found no evidence an NC State University employee improperly used a taxpayer-owned vehicle to attend a baseball game, according to a report released by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor.

The investigation began after the Auditor’s Office received a tip alleging an employee used a state-owned vehicle for personal purposes while attending an NC State baseball game.

State law prohibits employees from using government-owned vehicles for private purposes.

Investigators determined the vehicle identified in the complaint was registered to NC State and assigned to a university employee.

The complaint centered on an NC State home baseball game against the University of Miami on May 1.

Investigators reviewed GPS tracking information and interviewed the employee and other university personnel.

The employee’s supervisor told investigators the employee was scheduled to conduct university business and attend meetings on campus that day.

GPS records showed the vehicle arrived on the NC State campus around 9:40 a.m. and remained there until approximately 11:45 p.m.

The baseball game began around 7:55 p.m. and ended about 11:41 p.m.

According to the report, the state vehicle remained parked during the game.

The employee told investigators he remained on campus after completing his work-related activities.

Other Trips Examined
While reviewing the vehicle’s GPS history, investigators identified several other trips they believed warranted additional scrutiny.

The Auditor’s Office reviewed work travel calendars and interviewed university personnel about those trips.

Investigators determined the travel was connected to official university business.

Based on GPS records, interviews and other documentation, the Auditor’s Office said it found no evidence the employee used the vehicle for a private purpose prohibited by state law or NC State policy.

The investigative special report was released Oct. 2.