Closing: Easley campaign

The State Board of Elections allowed lawyers to make closing statements in the Gov. Mike Easley campaign finance hearings.

John Wallace, an attorney for Easley's campaign committee:

THE CAR: Easley and his campaign have paid more than $25,000 for the use of a GMC Yukon that neither Easley, nor his committee, were paying for.

FLIGHTS: Tracking which flights were campaign-related has been difficult for the committee. "One can never be sure that one has captured all the flights and one can never be sure that all the flights that one has scheduled in a spreadsheet occurred," Wallace said.

McQueen Campbell, who provided scores of flights for Easley, did not submit invoices to the campaign treasurer.

"Mr. Campbell failed utterly to give information to the treasurer," Wallace said. "I don't know what the treasurer can do if he knew nothing about the air travel."

—————

Wallace agreed, when asked by Board Chairman Larry Leake, that it is ultimately the campaign's responsibility to report its activity.

"I certainly would agree that the committee ultimately has the responsibility to report to this board and I would suggest to you in that respect the Mike Easley committee failed to live up to all of its obligations," Wallace said.

Wallace said Campbell's estimate of $87,000 worth of unpaid flights may be a gross exaggeration. In at least one case, he said, Campbell said a flight was worth $2,700 but the committee believes the flight should have been valued at $200.