Immunity is a big deal at State Board of Elections hearings.

Next week, when the board holds hearings into the campaign finance activity of former Gov. Mike Easley, a key question for observers is which, if any, witnesses are granted immunity.

Immunity of course, would prevent prosecutors from charging witnesses with any crimes they testify about. But it would also help ensure that a witness actually has something to say, besides invoking the Constitutional right against self-incrimination. We don't know whether anyone will take the Fifth, but we wouldn't be surprised if it comes up a time or two.

Expect the board and prosecutors to be in lockstep on who gets immunity. That's a lesson learned the hard way during the Meg Scott Phipps hearings in 2002.

   Comments (4)