Rep. Thomas Wright pocketed $8,900 in corporate checks intended for a nonprofit, calling the money "sweat equity," according to papers filed Tuesday at the legislature.

On Oct. 5, the Wilmington Democrat was interviewed by SBI Special Agent Johnnie Umphlet about checks totaling $8,900 from Anheuser-Busch, AstraZeneca and AT&T to the Community's Health Foundation, which Wright ran.

Wright admitted that he received, signed and deposited the checks into his personal bank account, according to Umphlet.

"He called his reimbursement 'sweat equity,' " according to a witness list.

Other potential witnesses include an IRS employee and a Wilmington doctor. (Char-O)

A committee considering expelling Rep. Thomas Wright found probable cause on eight counts of misconduct. All votes were unanimous among the six-member bipartisan committee.

* Soliciting a fraudulent letter from Torlen Wade committing nonexistent state funds for a history museum in Wilmington. 

* Presenting a fraudulent letter from Wade to the Coastal Federal Bank in order to improperly obtain a $150,000 loan. 

* Improperly spending a $2,400 donation from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals for the Community's Health Foundation. 

* Improperly spending a $5,000 donation from the Anheuser-Busch Companies for the Community's Health Foundation.

* Improperly spending a $1,500 donation from AT&T Corp. for the Community's Health Foundation.

* Improperly spending $9,910 from a line of credit for the Community's Health Foundation.

* Failing to disclose approximately $185,000 in campaign contributions to the State Board of Elections between 2000 and 2007.

* Improperly solicit donations for the Community's Health Foundation and convert them to personal use between 2001 and 2004. 

Staff attorneys for Attorney General Roy Cooper are presenting evidence of Rep. Thomas Wright's misconduct.

Senior deputy attorneys general William Hart and Alec Peters said they only investigated Wright once the Wake County prosecutor assured them that it would not interfere with criminal proceedings.

They have just handed out a packet of evidence they compiled. It includes:

* Articles of incorporation for The Community's Health Foundation that inlcudes the names of Wright, Daniel Gottovi, James Lofton and Bessie Funderburg, all of Wilmington.

* An e-mail from Wright to Torlen Wade asking him to write a letter saying that $150,000 in funding will be provided by the state, and the subsequent letter from Wade.

* A notice of foreclosure on the Wilmington building owned by the Community Health Foundation.

* A letter from Wright to the Anheuser-Busch Co. asking for a charitable contribution to the foundation to build a museum to the 1898 race riots in Wilmington.

* Bank records showing donations from AT&T, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and Anheuser-Busch worth a total of $8,900.

Hart said that Wright never filed paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service to incorporate the Community Health Foundation as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Rep. Thomas Wright faced skeptical colleagues after an elections board hearing Tuesday.

At the hearings, state investigators testified that the New Hanover Democrat may have illegally spent more than $222,000 in campaign donations over the past six years on personal items. (N&O)

He also may have accepted $14,225 from corporations, also prohibited under state law, and used a false letter from a state worker to get a $150,000 bank loan. (WSN) And a nonprofit he ran, The Community's Health Foundation, did not appear to have a federal tax ID number.

Wright declined to testify at the hearing or speak with reporters at length. That gave House Speaker Joe Hackney pause:

"Unless Representative Wright has some satisfactory explanation, which certainly didn’t happen today, then he can certainly no longer be effective here." (Hunter's Tavern)

Based on the subpoenas served so far, the State Board of Elections will likely ask Rep. Thomas Wright about his campaign funds, a nonprofit he started and his efforts on the 1898 race riots.

The Wilmington Star News and the Charlotte Observer report that the five witnesses called for hearings next week knew Wright from his work with The Community's Health Foundation, the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot Commission or his campaigns.

Here's a rundown:

James Lofton: Helped Wright start foundation in 2001. Attends church with Wright. Told the Star News the state board is "on a witch hunt" and he won't attend the hearings.

Helyn Lofton: James' wife. A member of the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot Commission, which Wright led.

Wayne Lofton: Son of James and Helyn. Worked with Wright on starting a museum about the 1898 riots.

Daryle Parker: Served as Wright's campaign treasurer in 2002 and 2003.

Karen Davis-Parker: Daryle's ex-wife. A funeral director, she handled the service for Wright's mother.