newsobserver.com projects - Legislature to discuss expelling Wright - Comments

Josiah Turner, 1880

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:20:26 -0500

This just in: Josiah Turner was expelled in 1880.

Actually, it didn't just come in. We had that on the blog back in May, but I completely forgot about it.

Here's the old post.

— RTB

Re: Legislature to discuss expelling Wright

Heatherbrook — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:38:57 -0500

Lets right Wright's state position. Remove him ASAP

Re: Legislature to discuss expelling Wright

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:26:20 -0500

Still working on that. I like that you guys always assume I know.

I based that on this sentence, from a May 4, 1996, article by the Associated Press on then-Rep. Ken Miller:

The House Ethics Committee, which rarely meets and has not expelled a House member in more than 100 years, last year spent months devising the complex set of rules.

— RTB

Re: Legislature to discuss expelling Wright

awbeal — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:16:00 -0500

"The House Ethics Committee has not expelled a member in more than 100 years."

Who was the last one and when?

Legislature to discuss expelling Wright

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:06:44 -0500

House Speaker Joe Hackney said the legislature will discuss expelling Rep. Thomas Wright.

At a press conference this afternoon, the Chapel Hill Democrat said that he will ask Gov. Mike Easley to call a special session of the General Assembly to consider removing Wright from office if the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee recommends it.

That would be a historic move. The House Ethics Committee has not expelled a member in more than 100 years.

"We're going to move ahead expeditiously to resolve it," he said.

On Monday, Wright was indicted by the Wake County district attorney on five counts of obtaining property under false pretenses and one count of obstruction of justice after a lengthy criminal investigation.

Prosecutors say he solicited donations from three companies for charitable work in Wilmington, then spent them on personal items.

The Wilmington Democrat, now in his eighth term, was a top lieutenant for disgraced former House Speaker Jim Black.