The man charged with overseeing North Carolina’s share of the federal stimulus program is leaving the job, reports the News-Record.
Dempsey Benton has spent his last day on Monday at the Office of Economic Recovery and Investment. Benton said he planned on staying on the job about 18 months, and actually spent nearly 21 months on the job.
The office staff of about 15 has shrunk in half as the program winds down. Benton said about 95 percent of the state’s $6 billion allotment has either been spent or is already dedicated to be spent. He said he’s pleased that there have been very few complaints of fraud or waste in the program. Benton is a former state Health and Human Services secretary and Raleigh city manager. Read more.