Pilot Mountain town manager on administrative leave due to financial 'discrepancies' and 'misused' funds

Pilot Mountain’s town manager has been placed on administrative leave due to discrepancies found in the municipality’s finances.

According to a statement released Thursday by Pilot Mountain Rescue and EMS Board of Directors President Adam McHone, “state grant funds earmarked for improvements to the rescue squad building had been misused.”

Mayor Evan Cockerham said in a release that the town’s board of commissioners and legal team directed him to place Town Manager Michael Boaz on leave while the matter is investigated. 

Assistant Town Manager Holly Utt will act in his place. Cockerham says additional personnel action may be taken when appropriate. 

"Our board of commissioners is committed to making sure that all aspects of our local government remain up to the standards that the citizens of this great town deserve," Cockerham said. 

Pilot Mountain’s police department is also currently under investigation after several officers were found to be involved in a years-long scheme to defraud the town and a local nonprofit.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.