Bill Ross, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said a former official who admitted to soliciting a bribe, didn't have any influence over permits.

Ross released a statement Thursday about Boyce Allen Hudson, 67, a former employee who admitted in federal court to extortion and money laundering charges.

I am saddened by the unlawful actions by one of our former employees. Hudson’s actions violated the honor code and values that we expect to guide the actions of every employee as they serve the citizens of North Carolina. However, I am confident that permitting processes within DENR have been and will continue to be carried out with the utmost professionalism, attention to the letter of the law, and with care for the health, well-being and benefit of all.

Hudson admitted Tuesday that in 2004 he offerred to guarantee a permit for Agri-Ethanol Products of Raleigh in exchange for $100,000 in cash and a consulting contract worth another $108,000. Ross said in his statement that Hudson didn't have the authority or influence to affect permitting. His job didn't involve lobbying, as federal prosecutors have said.

Prosectuors made much of the fact that Agri-Ethanol got a clean air permit within a month. Ross said in his statement that he Division of Air Quality is required by state rules to issue the type of air permit relevant to this case within 90 days. The average turnournd time has been 35 days, Ross said.