Resident alleges Gaston County sheriff overspent budget by $3 million; commissioners note ongoing oversight

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. ' A Gaston County resident accused Sheriff Chad Hawkins's administration of overspending the sheriff's office budget by more than $3 million at the county commissioners' Sept. 19 meeting and urged an outside investigation.

Todd Hostetler addressed the board during citizens recognition and said, "I've heard this is over $3,000,000 he overspent his budget," and called the alleged spending a "disgrace to Gaston County" and taxpayers. Hostetler also questioned hiring practices, saying the sheriff had hired "a lot of his buddies."

Chairman Chad Brown responded that the county manager has been meeting monthly with the sheriff and that information and explanations are being provided as part of ongoing oversight. Brown said the sheriff and county manager have been "coming forth with a lot of information, different pieces of the puzzle." The meeting record shows no formal vote, audit finding or administrative action tied to the accusation during the session.

Why it matters: Allegations about local public-safety spending and hiring practices raise governance and transparency concerns for taxpayers and the board; the claim, as reported in the meeting, was an unverified public comment and not a formal finding.

What's next: Hostetler asked for an outside investigation; the board noted ongoing internal oversight meetings between the county manager and the sheriff. No independent audit result or formal referral to an outside investigator was announced at the meeting.