N.C. Republican Party Chairman Tom Fetzer accused high-ranking officials at the State Board of Elections of stifling a real investigation into the campaign of Gov. Bev Perdue.
Fetzer said he intends to ask Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby to launch an investigation into the actions of elections board Chairman Larry Leake, Executive Director Gary Bartlett and John Wallace, an attorney for Perdue's campaign.
Fetzer said the election's board report details several instances where Leake and Bartlett limited or delayed the scope of an investigation into gubernatorial campaigns, particularly Perdue's.
"Gary Bartlett, Chairman Leake and John Wallace colluded in an attempt to derail, distract and obstruct the investigation of the State Board of Elections staff into the financial irregularities and illegalities of the Perdue for Governor campaign," Fetzer told reporters Monday.
Marc Farinella, a consultant for Perdue's campaign said Fetzer's complaints are unfounded and a political stunt.
“We believe that most observers recognize that it’s time to move on. Not surprisingly, among the few who do not agree is Mr. Fetzer, who is now rumored to be preparing for his own gubernatorial campaign," Farinella said in a statement. "Unhappy with the SBOE report, Mr. Fetzer is now accusing the SBOE Executive Director and SBOE Chairman of engaging in activities ‘that may be categorized as obstruction of justice.’"
