Former Gov. Mike Easley's attorney said Easley got what he asked for in a referral to prosectors.

"I got what I asked for," said Thomas Hicks, an attorney for Easley

Hicks surprised the Board of Elections on Thursday by asking them to refer the case to the Wake County District Attorney. Board chairman Larry Leake mentioned Easley by name as someone who may have committed criminal acts.

Hicks told reporters that investigators should focus on Easley friend McQueen Campbell, who testified that Easley asked him to falsify invoices to pay for repairs to Easley's Raleigh home. Easley said the allegation is false.

Board chairman Larry Leake said the board had received evidence that suggests Easley or others may have committed a crime.

"This board has received evidence which, if believed, would tend to indicate that criminal violations of our election laws and campaign finance laws have occurred on the part of Mike Easley and perhaps others," Leake said.

Easley supporter and friend McQueen Campbell testified that Easley told him to file a false invoice for campaign flights to pay for repairs done to Easley's Raleigh home. Easley said the allegation is false.

Campbell has essentially admitted to a crime. The question is whether Easley was involved.

"I think McQueen Campbell is where the emphasis should be placed," Hicks said.

Former Gov. Mike Easley wants his case referred to the Wake County District Attorney.

Easley denies any wrong-doing, but wants a state prosecutor to review the case anyway.

"The fact of the matter is, no matter what happens, the public is going to question, 'Did Mike Easley slip one over on the board?'" Easley's attorney, Thomas Hicks said. "He's saying refer it."

The statement seemed to surprise Board Chairman Larry Leake to ask for a clarification. McQueen Campbell testified that Easley wanted him to falsify an invoice to pay for work on Easley's house. Easley said that never happened.

"Did I just hear you say that because there have been witnesses who have testified to what would have been criminal, that your client and you think this case should be referred to the DA for further evaluation and insight?"

Hicks said that he believes Campbell got caught in a lie when he told a reporter and later Easley that he was paid for his flights. Campbell told Easley he wanted to sue The Carolina Journal over a story about the flights. This week, he testified under oath that the allegations against him were true.

"Here we have a young man who has essentially become a sycophant to the former governor of this state who has been playing a shell game," Hicks said.

There's a bad recession on, but there's a lot of billable hours being added up in the State Board of Elections hearing room.

Whatever comes of the Gov. Mike Easley hearings, the proceeding has given a boost to a bunch of lawyers.

Gov. Mike Easley has his lawyer, Thomas Hicks (pictured at the far right). Hicks worked as a prosecutor under Easley when Easley was a district attorney in Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties.

Jim Cooney (pictured next to Hicks) is representing the N.C. Democratic Party. Cooney represented exonerated Duke University lacrosse player Reade Seligmann and former death row inmate Alan Gell.

John Wallace and David Long are representing the Easley campaign.

Ruffin Poole, a lawyer himself, came with his attorney, Joseph Zeszotarski.

Car dealer Robert F. Bleecker testified with his lawyer, Dan Boyce, sitting behind him. There are at least a half dozen other lawyers or paralegals in the room.

Correction: Post now includes correct information about where Easley was a District Attorney.