NC auditor questions Charlotte’s diversity rules, decline in armed transit security
The North Carolina State Auditor’s Office on Tuesday released its initial findings on the Charlotte Area Transit System’s security after a fatal stabbing on the city’s light rail that drew national attention.
It was one of multiple investigations launched amid national conversations about safety on public transit after the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska. The 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on the LYNX Blue Line on Aug. 22. DeCarlos Brown Jr. is charged with first-degree murder and a federal transit crime in the case.
In its preliminary report, State Auditor Dave Boliek’s staff said CATS armed security staff shrunk in recent years despite increased spending on security. The auditor’s office also questioned the transit authority’s use of diversity rules in its hiring process for its private security firm.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles pushed back on the report’s findings in a response letter included in the report. She stood by the city’s contracting practices and security firm.
The report also drew the attention of state House Speaker Destin Hall, who said on social media it “revealed that Charlotte officials put woke DEI ideology ahead of public safety.”
“This is unacceptable. The House will be taking action,” Hall said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Tuesday’s report notes the auditor’s office “will release a final report after conducting a full review.”
NC auditor’s preliminary CATS report
The preliminary report says CATS’ number of armed security personnel fell from between 68 and 88 in 2018 to 39 this year. The agency’s security spending increased from $5.9 million in 2022 to $18.4 million in 2025, the report states.
The report also questioned Charlotte’s efforts to increase contractor diversity during the CATS security firm selection. Republicans at the state and federal level have taken aim at diversity and inclusion practices related to hiring in recent months.
The audit says the city’s request for proposals from security firms in 2022 “was ‘targeted only’ to businesses that were registered and certified” with its inclusion program, which aims to get more women- and minority-owned businesses involved in city contracting.
That contract ultimately went to Professional Security Services out of eight applicants, the audit said.
“The safety of the citizens of Charlotte needs to be first and foremost when security decisions are being made. Our report shows there has been a clear shift away from armed security in the CATS’s private security contracts,” Boliek said in a statement on the preliminary report. “Further, limiting any part of a contract providing citizens with security to only firms that meet a DEI checkbox raises questions as to whether politics has taken priority over public safety. As we continue our investigation, we will be examining the decisions that went into designing, soliciting, and approving these security contracts.”
Charlotte responds to CATS audit
In a response letter included in Tuesday’s report, Lyles stood by the hiring of PSS, saying the firm “was chosen following a competitive process” and noting that President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign contracted with the company for event security.
“The report appears to suggest that PSS is not qualified but fails to offer specific evidence to support this conclusion,” she wrote, adding “PSS has met contract requirements and continues to provide satisfactory services.”
The mayor said the city adhered to its policies for awarding contracts and that CATS has increased security personnel overall, with unarmed security personnel “assisted, as needed, by armed security.” She also said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department increased the prescence of police along the Blue Line.
In her letter, Lyles also questioned the auditor’s office timeline for its report.
She said the city met an initial deadline to answer questions and was then given less than 24 hours to respond to follow-up questions. Lyles said the auditor’s office sent a copy of the report to the city Friday afternoon and said it planned to release the report Monday. Boliek’s staff then sent an updated report Monday afternoon and said it would be released publicly Tuesday, Lyles said.
Lyles wrote she “would respectfully request” the auditor’s office “provide reasonable deadlines for city responses and clarify the process moving forward.”
CATS said in an additional statement it “is working to meet the needs of our community,” citing increased overall security staffing, CMPD presence and fare enforcement.
Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones and interim CATS CEO Brent Cagle previously announced a news conference about CATS security would happen Wednesday. After the auditor’s report was released Tuesday, the news conference was moved to Friday.
On Thursday, after publication of this story Tuesday, city spokesman Jack VanderToll said in an updated statement the news conference “was moved to accommodate elected officials’ schedules and the calendar change had nothing to do with the report.”
Other investigations into CATS after stabbing
In addition to the state auditor’s investigation, multiple other agencies are looking into CATS following the light rail stabbing.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Transit Administration would examine CATS’ safety plans, security spending and any risks to operators and customers. He also said the FTA could withhold federal money from Charlotte depending on its findings.
FBI Director Kash Patel also said on social media after security footage of the stabbing went viral the agency had “been investigating the Charlotte train murder from day one.”
This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM.
