U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle summarized the 57 count indictment Monday, April 19 before aide to former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley Ruffin Poole pleaded guilty to one count of federal income tax evasion. In count 55 of the indictment, Poole failed to report a net gain of $30,000 he received only three months after he [...]
- Apr19
57 Counts Down To 1, Easley In The Crosshairs
This kind of says it all for the fed’s new star witness and it must be truly riveting testimony that Ruffin brings to the table: Ruffin Poole, once a top aide to former Gov. Mike Easley, pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to one count of federal tax evasion. A federal grand jury had indicted Poole on [...]
- Mar31
Come Fly With Me, Let’s Fly Away
Gov. Perdue recently said that her campaign made a mistake by not reporting 31 flights, which took place over the course of several years. Interestingly enough, these flights were reported around the time that the Easley Campaign began to come under fire for failing to report campaign flights that put donors over their state mandated contribution limits. [...]
- Dec03
Did NC politicians participate in “Insider Trading”?
Yesterday Chad Adams posted on allegations of insider trading concerning Law Enforcement Associates (LEA) by State Senator Tony Rand (D-Cumberland). Among the allegations “…approximately 50 North Carolina Politicians, including former and present governors, who were personal friends of both Rand, and Carrington, its former owner. The list showed that those persons had purchased large amounts [...]
- Oct30
Easley Election Hearing Thought
Ok, so the week’s drama in North Carolina came to a close with Easley’s campaign being fined $100k and the state democratic party fined $9k. The case will be turned over to the Wake County DA for possible prosecution. But more drama awaits in the form of the Federal Grand Jury. As this compelling drama [...]
- Oct28
Day 3 – Easley Hearing (1)
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 [...]
- Oct27
Day 2 – Easley Hearing (5)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 Gary Allen is now being called to testify. Mr. Allen lives in Naples, FL. He was a resident of Florida in 2004. He still owns a home in Waxhaw, NC. He states that he has been a contributor to both Democrats and Republicans. He contributed $50,000 to the NC Democratic Party [...]
- Oct27
Day 2 – Easley Hearings (3)
Notes according to Dave Horne’s Testimony (cont) Mr. Cordle, a State Board of Elections member (Democrat) sounded more like Mr. Horne’s defense lawyer offering excuses than a member of the Board investigating serious campaign violations when he empahtically made it clear that while Horne was treasurer for Mike Easley’s campaign since 1993 he was only a volunteer [...]
- Oct26
Live at the Easley Hearings – 2
Grace Ramsey is testifying to the fact that she made an in-kind contribution to the Easley Committee for Christmas ornaments and that the contribution was reported as a different amount. There were 2 different invoices – 2 different dates – 2 different amounts. She has offered that she contributed to the Easley Campaign because Mary Easley [...]