The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office are investigating Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, federal officials confirmed Monday, Oct. 5.

The confirmation adds a federal probe to three state-level investigations already examining the state's largest school district. CMS faces separate reviews by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the state auditor and the state Board of Education. Families across Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville send children to CMS schools including William Amos Hough, North Mecklenburg and Hopewell high schools.

Lia Bantavani, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina, confirmed the probe via email, according to WFAE. The news was first reported by WBT radio. Federal officials have not said what prompted the investigation or whether it is connected to the financial irregularities state agencies are reviewing. No charges have been filed.

The district operates on a $2.1 billion budget. Allegations of financial irregularities surfaced in September when then-Superintendent Crystal Hill sent a memo to the school board alleging that then-board chair Stephanie Sneed routed hundreds of thousands of dollars to consultant Raki McGregor through contracts with law firm Poyner Spruill.

Hill alleged a $220,000 compliance assessment contract and a separate agreement each included subcontracts with McGregor's company, Qonnect LLC, according to WFAE's earlier reporting. Sneed stepped down as board chair but remains on the board.

Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather requested a formal SBI criminal investigation on Sept. 18, Spectrum News reported. State Auditor Dave Boliek confirmed his office had been examining CMS financial, budget and contractual documents for approximately three weeks as of Sept. 23, according to WCNC Charlotte.

"If the facts establish violations of state fiscal requirements, the state Board will take whatever actions are authorized and necessary to protect public funds," state Superintendent of Public Instruction Moe Green said at the board's Thursday, Oct. 1, meeting, when the state Board of Education announced its own probe.

The turmoil extends beyond finances. The CMS board voted 5-4 on Tuesday, Sept. 22, to fire Hill "for convenience," meaning without a specified cause.

Charlitta Hatch, the District 1 board member representing Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville, initiated the motion. Dee Rankin, Liz Monterrey Duvall, Sneed and Shamaiye Haynes joined Hatch. Monty Witherspoon, Cynthia Stone, Anna London and Lenora Shipp voted no.

Hill's severance will cost the district more than $340,000. She was the seventh CMS superintendent in 15 years.

Most of Hill's leadership cabinet has announced plans to leave. Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight, Chief of Staff Chastity Dolan, Chief Operating Officer Tim Ivey and Chief Financial Officer Kelly Kluttz have all said they are retiring, according to WCNC Charlotte.

Balknight, now serving as interim superintendent, has agreed to stay until a permanent replacement is hired. The district has not set a timeline for that search. The board has not announced a next public meeting date in connection with the investigations.

No timeline has been given for when any of the probes will conclude.