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Panel fines ex-NC governor, seeks criminal probe

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By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina elections officials penalized former Gov. Mike Easley's campaign $100,000 Friday for not reporting flights provided by a political ally and asked prosecutors to investigate whether he or others broke laws by trying to hide them or other expenses.

The unanimous State Board of Elections decision came after five days of hearings into the conduct of Easley, a two-term Democrat who left office in January, and the state Democratic Party.

The board received evidence indicating that campaign finance laws were violated, and that evidence was sent to the Wake County district attorney, board Chairman Larry Leake said.

The board also told the Easley campaign to give up the cost of the flights - $60,000 - and to reimburse the elections board $40,000 for its investigation.

Easley attorney Thomas Hicks said after the hearing his client got what he wanted. In an unusual closing argument Thursday, Hicks said prosecutors would have more resources to examine whether criminal charges are necessary.

"When I go to a tribunal and ask for it and they give me what I want, that makes me happy," Hicks told reporters Friday. However, he repeated his claim that Easley has done nothing illegal.

The party also was ordered to forfeit $9,000 in campaign funds for two donations solicited by the Easley campaign, but the board didn't include the party in its request to examine potential charges.

Much of the case against Easley hinged on the testimony of one-time political ally McQueen Campbell, the former chairman of the trustees board at North Carolina State University.

Campbell, who piloted Easley on campaign flights going back to 1999, testified Easley suggested that he file invoices for flights to get reimbursed for repairs to Easley's Raleigh home that Campbell said reached $11,000.

Easley, who was attorney general for eight years before being elected governor in 2000, testified that he never told Campbell to falsify invoices, nor did he imply Campbell should. Campbell testified he filed two bogus invoices with Easley's campaign.

Campbell testified he hadn't been reimbursed for scores of campaign-related flights, which he valued at nearly $88,000, that the campaign never reported. But Easley said Campbell told him he had been reimbursed.

The activities of Campbell and Easley also have gotten the attention of federal prosecutors, and a grand jury has been calling witnesses to testify about a coastal subdivision where Easley and his wife purchased a lot and the hiring of former first lady Mary Easley at N.C. State University.

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