Depositions taken last month show that former Democratic Governor Mike Easley was hiding a lot from the people of North Carolina. Testimony from his former communications directors for a public records lawsuit brought by the John Locke Foundation and several news outlets show that Governor Easley had a private email address that he used to conduct state business. Because email messages are considered public information, Locke and the news outlets sued the Easley administration when they found that messages were being deleted, or in the case of Easley’s secret account, not revealed at all, even when requests for information were made.
Easley’s private email address, a Road Runner account, was “Nick Danger” spelled backwards, presumably a reference to the fictional private eye.
In an April 2008 interview, Easley made it clear that he thought private email addresses should be public record if they contained messages pertaining to state business. North Carolina Public Records Law applies to every message “in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government.” Although Easley said on the record that he understood the law, he continued to keep his email account and the state business he conducted using it a secret.
According to the communications staff in the deposition made public yesterday, Easley’s communications director, Sherri Johnson, instructed public information officers in several Cabinet agencies to delete emails to and from his office, and not to mention his office in emails. Officers were instead instructed to use the telephone for most communication, and not to mention the order in emails. This policy likely came about from feelings arising after an email from the Department of Cultural Resources painting Easley in a negative light.
I just returned from Ruffin Poole’s initial appearance in federal court before U.S. District Judge Terrance Boyle. Poole, advisor to former Governor Mike Easley, was led into the courtroom with his hands cuffed behind his back. Boyle read a summary of the 64-page indictment that refers to Poole as the “Little Governor” because of his role as Easley’s right-hand man.
The 51 charges against Poole include extortion, mail fraud, and money laundering, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years plus fines; bribery and monetary transactions in criminally derived property, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years plus fines; and racketeering, carrying a maximum sentence of five years plus fines. All parties agreed on the terms for Poole’s bail–$50,000 unsecured bond, that he surrenders his passport and any firearms, and that he restrict his travel to the states of NC, VA, and MD.
The entire court appearance lasted less than 15 minutes. The press outside the courthouse waited longer for Poole to appear and be whisked away by his attorney.
Nah, say it isn’t so. . .The lead story on the WRAL website implicates the most powerful member of the Senate (Tony Rand-D, Cumberland) in an insider trading scheme.
(Paul) Feldman alleged that Rand and other politicians engaged in insider trading in 2004 and 2005 and that Rand also was involved in insider trading with First Citizens Bank stock. He said he and Marty Perry, former vice president of sales at LEA, were interviewed by the FBI and IRS in September regarding information they had provided to the U.S. attorney in Raleigh. (Feldman was president of Law Enforcement Associates for 19 years)
The most intriguing part of this story to me is the little explored part that says, “other politicians.” This would imply an extensive operation and who are those “other” folks? On the heels of the Sen RC Soles (D-Columbus) allegations and the ongoing Gov. Easley (D) investigation it would be an easy argument to win suggesting that NC is most likely the most corrupt state in the nation. How much confidence does this instill in the public? How does this further public trust? And how is it possible that the GOP hasn’t been able to win in such an environment? Here is just a simple list of additional recent convicted political figures in our state.
former Ag Secretary Meg Scott Phipps (D) served time
former Speaker of the House Jim Black (D) serving time
former NC Congressman Frank Ballance (D) serving time
son, Judge Frank Ballance Jr.(D) served time
former New Hanover representative Thomas Wright (D) serving time
former members of the NC Ferry Division appointed by Dems serving time
former NC Lottery Lobbyist Kevin Geddings, serving time
In only the second time in our nearly four and a half years of polling at the Civitas Institute, Republicans lead the generic legislative ballot here in North Carolina.
Our latest poll has it at 40.7% Republican, 37.8% Democratic.
Coincidentally (or not?) the only two times the Republicans have led the generic ballot has been when the State Board of Elections has been investigating an high-ranking Democratic official. Republicans led by 1 point back in March 2006, immediately after the former Speaker Jim Black hearings, and lead today with the former Gov. Mike Easley hearings.
Democrats have averaged a five point advantage over the past four years, hitting a high of a 15% advantage at the beginning of this year.
Full press release, results and crosstabs here.
Mac McCorkle was the last to testify at yesterday’s hearings. He was the Issues and Positions consultant for Mike Easley and was responsible for polling and media. He also laid claim to being a “marriage counselor” to Easley as did Dave Horne. McCorkle talked to Easley a lot on the phone and listened to him vent. It appears that Mike Easley not only did not like to campaign but he did not like his own campaign.
The State Board of Elections convenes today at 9 am to address a Wake County Board of Education issue. And, then will resume the business of the Mike Easley investigation. Click here for a list of subpoenas and exhibits thus far.
Michael Hayden is next to testify. He states his profession as a professional political operative specializing in fundraising. His title was Finance Director for the Easley Committee. Hayden stated that his responsibility was to “effectively and persistently raise money within the law”.
He moved to NC in 2003 to take the position with the Easley Campaign, Before that worked for the Governor in Oklahoma. He also worked for Governor Hodges in South Carolina between 1998 – 2002.
In his employment agreement there was a one time retainer fee of $10,000 or $5000 if the committee obtained suitable housing for him. The campaign did provide housing — the Easley home (the one where the repairs were made – see McQueen Campbell testimony) he lived there several months. He then moved to an apartment complex in late 2003 (all of this testimony was to the best of his recolletion).
Hayden stated that he never had the responsibility of running day to day operations of the campaign. He said that the Governor had a commitment to raise $500,000 toward the coordinated campaign but did not know whether the campaign ever met the commitment.
He said he drafted the Easley finance plan. After his first interview with Governor Easley, Mr Haden never again discussed strategy with the Governor although they would attend finance committee meetings together. He setup events, arranged for direct mail, email and one-on-one solicitations.
Hayden said he did not arrange the Governor’s travel but requested it – he talked with the scheduler. Carrie Boyce was the person Hayden would contact to arrange for the Governor’s appearance at a campaign activity. Jay Reiff (campaign manager) determined what kind of money Hayden would raise - whether it was Easley money or Democratic Party Combined Campaign money.
Hayden did not recall discussing how payment of air travel would be handled with John Wallace, Dave Horne or Jay Reiff. Hayden could not recall ever flying with McQueen Campbell – but did know that McQueen Campbell was a pilot. He never knew that he specifically provided flights for the Governor although he knew he piloted the planes that the Governor was flying on.
With the State Board of Elections set to convene history-making hearings into the campaign finances of former Governor Mike Easley, a new poll released shows current Governor Bev Perdue is thought of more unfavorably than Easley by the voters of North Carolina.
When asked if they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Bev Perdue and Mike Easley, the live caller survey of 600 likely voters revealed that 47.5 percent of voters had an unfavorable opinion of former Governor Easley, but 49.8 percent of voters held a similar opinion of the current governor. Perdue does have higher favorable opinions the poll revealed, with 37.2 percent of voters giving her a favorable opinion while only 29.7 percent did for Easley.
Yep. More people have an unfavorable opinion of Perdue than they do of Easley. Pretty surprising isn’t it?
Full press release here.
So, the North Carolina State Board of Elections is set to hold hearings on former Governor Mike Easley’s campaign finance irregularities that mostly relate to his use of private planes owned by big time donors.
Talk around Raleigh has it that that the US Attorney already has the goods on the former Guv and will be taking care of business shortly. So, why would the NCSBoE need to have hearings if the Feds are already on the case?
Maybe Board Chairman Larry Leake, an Easley contributor would like the chance to have a little coverage before questions are asked about why his watchdog agency didn’t catch Easley to begin with.
Good luck with that, Larry. Does anybody have that picture of Easley’s helicopter landing in Leake’s yard for a fundraiser?