Judge orders Cabarrus County to turn over audio recording of closed session before Sean Newton’s firing

Judge orders recording kept confidential as former county manager’s nearly $290,000 severance lawsuit heads toward April 2027 trial.

Sean Newton served as county manager for several months in 2025 before getting fired in August. Photo courtesy of Cabarrus County.

A Superior Court judge has ordered Cabarrus County to turn over an audio recording of the closed-session discussion that preceded former County Manager Sean Newton’s firing last year.