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Easley convicted of felony; state, federal probes end
Former Gov. Mike Easley was convicted Tuesday of knowingly filing a false campaign report, becoming the first North Carolina governor to admit to a felony in a deal that halted a lengthy federal investigation.Easley, a Democrat who was governor from 2001 to 2009, appeared before Wake County Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith III in a role unfamiliar to a former crusading prosecutor and two-term attorney general. The crime: Easley admitted that he failed to report on a required campaign disclosure that he took a $1,600 helicopter ride with a supporter in October 2006. That violated several campaign laws written to shed light on how monied interests interact with politicians - involvement for Easley that had drawn intense focus from state and federal authorities beginning in early 2009. Easley's conviction was decided after weeks of behind-the-scenes talks between state and federal prosecutors and his legal team that culminated over the past few days. Court records indicate that authorities had been weighing at least one other unspecified charge. Easley's voice cracked at times as he answered questions from the judge about whether he understood his plea, known as an Alford guilty plea. It means that he did not admit guilt, but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict him on the charge, which is the lowest level felony in North Carolina. Posted by: Fred 2010-11-25 |
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