Former North Carolina state auditor Beth Wood is back working with the Office of the State Auditor, this time as an independent contractor under Auditor Dave Boliek on a short-term investigative review whose subject is literally blacked out in public records.
What The Contract Says
A contract obtained by The News & Observer shows Wood signed the agreement on May 25, 2026. The deal pays her $125 per hour, with total compensation capped at $25,000, and sets an end date of Aug. 17, 2026.
Wood is explicitly listed as an independent contractor, not a staff employee, and the document limits her compensation to that hourly rate and overall cap. The scope section is blunt, aside from the thick black marker. “Contractor will perform a review of REDACTED,” the public copy states, before outlining standard investigative work such as gathering and reviewing documents, interviewing subjects and witnesses, and preparing workpapers and issue sheets. The portion identifying exactly what, or whom, she is reviewing is redacted in the version released under public records law.
Past Scandal And The Comeback
Wood resigned as state auditor in late 2023 following a string of car related incidents that started with a December 2022 crash and a subsequent hit and run citation. She later pleaded guilty to the hit and run and to misdemeanor charges tied to using a state vehicle for personal errands. A Wake County judge ordered 12 months of unsupervised probation as part of a plea agreement, according to The Associated Press.
Boliek Praises Wood And Launches An Internship
Despite that exit, Boliek has publicly embraced his predecessor. He brought Wood to a Council of State meeting in early June, presented her with a newly created Cardinal Award and used the moment to unveil a paid internship program named in her honor, according to coverage from WBT Charlotte's News Talk.
The auditor’s official website now promotes the “Auditor Beth Wood - Financial Audit Internship Program,” listing fall 2026 dates, application instructions and a July 31 interview deadline for would be interns. The way the office lays it out, the program is intended as a recruiting pipeline into state auditing work. NC Office of the State Auditor
Why It Matters
Wood’s quiet reappearance inside the office she once led highlights Boliek’s willingness to lean on veteran auditors, even across party lines, as he reshapes the agency. During the 2024 campaign, Wood, a Democrat, publicly endorsed Republican Boliek over the Democratic incumbent, an endorsement detailed by WRAL.
Since taking office, Boliek has pushed a slate of new initiatives, including creating commissions and tacking on fresh responsibilities for the auditor’s team. One example is the Modernization of Elections Data Systems commission, which officials describe as part of a broader effort to expand the agency’s role, according to reporting from BPR / NC Newsroom.
