This scumbag is absolutely shameless. Can't he be forced to resign or prosecuted in some way by the state or feds? Also WHY is the investigation taking SO DA&* LONG?????? I'm sure if it was a Republican he would already be behind bars.
This is a related item from the Under The Dome column in today's N & O.
Not on radar screen
The allegations of misuse of state money by the John A. Hyman Memorial Youth Foundations have generated lot of heat for its founder and benefactor, U.S. Rep. Frank Ballance.
But despite plenty of media coverage and a months-long federal investigation, a poll commissioned by a possible challenger to the Warrenton Democrat indicates a majority of people in the district still don't know much about the foundation's troubles.
Superior Court Judge G.K. Butterfield said this week he recently commissioned a poll of 400 likely Democratic voters in the district, which covers most of northeastern North Carolina, to help him decide whether to run. The poll found that 58 percent of them were not familiar with the Warrenton foundation's problems.
Butterfield would not say whether those results would discourage him to run.
A state audit last fall found more than $325,000 in questionable spending over a roughly three-year period. The foundation, which conducted drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs, gave thousands of dollars in grants to pastors who made campaign contributions to Ballance, paid his daughter for work she never completed and provided jobs for campaign staff.
Butterfield, a longtime friend of Ballance, said other factors will help him decide. Ballance has said he will seek re-election, but has not made an official announcement.
The primary is also scheduled for July 20, a day when many expect turnout to be low. Other Democrats may decide to wage a campaign.
"I continue to have an interest in running," Butterfield said. "I'm still evaluating the feasibility, but right now there are so many unknowns."
From what I have heard, this story would have never seen the light of day were it not for the editor of the
Littleton Observer.
People were calling in anonymously to tell about all the shenanigans going on with the Hyman Foundation and he started looking into it.
Things are moving nicely in the fourth generation -- assymetrical warfare campaign to defeat Ballance. The Democrats are off balance and this issue continues to gain traction.
As the former candidate mentions in the article -- the issue will not go away. The Republicans will have a legitimate chance to win this seat in November.
Ballance should emerge from a bitter primary to face a better funded GOP candidate and independent Black candidate Dennis Mitchell. Mitchell, a former US Marine and ECU student is projected to draw between eight and 10 percent of the vote in a three way matchup with Ballance and the former candidate.
The GOP candidate drew 35% last time despite being outspent $600,000 to $17,000. He should be able to capitalize on the Grand Jury indictment which will be handed down against Ballance after the primary July 20. Combined with the president's strong showing and the limited but generous financial assistance that has been offered him by the RNCC he may defeat Ballance in November if he can draw 45-46% and Mitchell does what he is supposed to do.
You can believe that Richard Burr will need every white conservative Democrat vote he can get in the First District to defeat Bowles or Edwards. Ballance is generating a groundswell of contempt in the White and conservative Black communities for what he has done in using the Black churches in this political slush fund operation.
Big Frank is going down. His sole remaining "get out of jail free" card is the OLF. He is now attempting to sell out Washington and Beaufort counties by kneeling before the federal government on this issue. As the former candidate mentions in the article, "he is under a lot of pressure now..."
Stay tuned...
J