Easley Performance Not Very Convincing (Totally corrupt RAT NC ex-governor grilled for five hours)

The Pilot ^

[Libloather]

EDITORIAL: Easley Performance Not Very Convincing
Updated: October 29, 2009 at 18:43 pm

Larry Leake, chairman of the State Board of Elections, asked a pretty good question Wednesday.

A couple of days earlier, on the first day of this week's explosive hearings on alleged campaign spending abuses, former Easley friend and supporter McQueen Campbell had testified in great and dismaying detail. Among other damning allegations, he said he and Easley were part of a bogus scheme to hide the cost of repairs to Easley's private residence by listing them as being for air travel.

When a campaign aide expressed concern that the dubious transaction might not pass the legal smell test, she was essentially told to stop asking questions and get on with it.

On Wednesday, Easley personally took the stand for five hours -- something for which he deserves credit, if only as a display of chutzpah. When asked about all the shenanigans Campbell had described so painstakingly, Easley replied blithely, like a school child crossing his heart to his teacher, that "it never, ever happened."

That's when Chairman Leake asked his good question: If it never, ever happened, what would make Campbell testify that it had?

"I don't know," Easley replied.

Neither does the board -- or the members of the public watching the remarkable spectacle on live TV. But the question lingers: Why in the world would someone in Campbell's position, with nothing to gain and everything to lose, risk going to jail for perjury and slander to concoct such an elaborate fiction out of whole cloth?

Clearly, somebody is lying. The board was left with an unsatisfactory case of he-said, he-said on its hands, though the rest of us are free to draw our own conclusions. In any case, with criminal investigations under way, the whole sad and seamy story probably isn't over.

[Libloather]

Easley attorney makes unusual request to NC board
The Associated Press
Thursday, October 29, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. — The personal attorney for former NorthCarolina Gov. Mike Easley has made an unusual request to the State Board of Elections — please send Easley's case to prosecutors if necessary.

Thomas Hicks gave closing statements Thursday to the board, which is investigating Easley's campaign committee and the state Democratic Party.

Hicks said Easley told him to ask board members to send the case to a prosecutor if there are questions whether laws were violated. Hicks said otherwise the public will believe "Easley has slipped one over on the board."

Easley and political ally McQueen Campbell gave different testimony this week about campaign-related flights Campbell piloted for Easley.

The board also could issue fines or exonerate the party and the committee.

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/state/easley-attorney-makes-unusual-request-to-nc-board-926358.html

[driftdiver]

The only thing I’m surprised about is that he’s even being questioned about his corruption.

[beef]

“The only thing I’m surprised about is that he’s even being questioned about his corruption.”

He wouldn't except that the N&O has their financial tit in a ringer and they badly need the money this is bringing them. Even with that, they had to wait until their gal was safely ensconced in the governors mansion before they broke the story.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Weasley was “just doing the people’s business” and too busy to pay attention to these nasty little details. (He was trying to force through the NC Lottery in the NC House with his pal Jim Black’s deceit and help - Black who is already in prison for his own corruption).

Right - and I’m bugs bunny.

I was surprised at these hearings also - but it’s the Board of Elections....NOT a big enforcement agency there....

But am NOT expecting ANY punishment from the Bd of Elections against Easley and the Dems, despite the clearness of the corruption.

If the Fed Investigation into Easley produces any better results - those could have much more damaging punishments - but I am not holding my breath on that either.

NC - Thanks to the Demonazi party - the MOST Corrupt State Government in the South.

[saganite]

Maybe the voters here in NC will get the message that the Dems are totally corrupt after we alraeady sent the former speaker to prison and it’s not looking so good for the former gov. But I’m not hopeful.