Cooper: We've investigated Democrats

A spokeswoman is defending Attorney General Roy Cooper.

In an e-mail to Dome, public information officer Noelle Talley said that the attorney general's office won't comment on any current or potential investigation.

Cooper has been criticized by Republicans who think he should be more vocal about recent news reports about former Gov. Mike Easley's potential violations of campaign finance laws.

Talley noted that Cooper has investigated a number of high-profile Democrats.

"During Attorney General Cooper's tenure, his lawyers and SBI agents have investigated more than 500 public corruption cases, including Jim Black, Thomas Wright, Meg Scott Phipps and Frank Ballance," she wrote.

She added that the department has often worked with other prosecutors.

"Although we have no original prosecution authority, our Department frequently works with federal authorities and local district attorneys to bring charges against elected and appointed officials," she wrote. "The Attorney General can serve as a Special Prosecutor when requested by a local district attorney."

Previously: Senate Republican leader calls for special prosecutor.

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Re: Cooper: We've investigated Democrats

Submitted by Taxpayer2008 on May 15, 2009 - 8:47pm.

"The Attorney General can serve as a Special Prosecutor when requested by a local district attorney."

Well Colon Willoughby has hired L'il Mikey Easley for the summer so don't expect his office the do anything useful.

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Re: Cooper: We've investigated Democrats

Submitted by BitterEXdemocrat on May 14, 2009 - 4:23pm.

With Mike Sleazely having been the former NC Atty General, why should we now think we have a strong one? They are of the same mold, are they not?

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Re: Cooper: We've investigated Democrats

Submitted by Taxpayer2008 on May 14, 2009 - 1:40pm.

"He said many people have been talking about him about the (Senate) race. He said he has heard from the Democratic Senate leadership, which is trying to recruit him."

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/coop_will_decide_by_spring

That's why he's in a quandry. How can he stay loyal to Basnight & Co. and serve the NC voters at the same time?

He can't. He won't cut off his nose to spite his face.

Forget about the Senate in 2010 'Coop'. Its obvious your loyalties are not with the voters.

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Re: Cooper: We've investigated Democrats

Submitted by ruralnc on May 14, 2009 - 1:26pm.

Why is the N&O not pursuing Cooper? The N&O is well-known for breaking these kinds of stories. Cooper may be the key to corruption in Raleigh. He is the sole arbiter of who gets investigated and he is protecting his benefactors. He tried to protect Nifong until the media did its job!

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Re: Cooper: We've investigated Democrats

Submitted by JRS1988 on May 14, 2009 - 12:23pm.

Mr. Cooper, your job is to root out corruption in this state. Currently, the Democrats nearly have a monopoly on corruption. Do your job, Mr. Cooper, and prosecute those who are acting unlawfully.

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Re: Cooper: We've investigated Democrats

Submitted by lpetrou on May 14, 2009 - 12:07pm.

Sure he has investigated Democrats but only when the feds started the investigation. He has never started an investigation in NC on his own. He should do is job instead of running for the U.S. Senate. Also, why is he drawing out the case against him? Is he hoping that it won't come to trial until after the election? I think he should go to trial and get it out of the way before running for election.

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Cooper Lies " We've investigated Democrats"

Submitted by PoliticalJunkie on May 14, 2009 - 11:33am.

In every case cited his office was dragged kicking and screaming into the investigation.

His office has never taken the lead or actively worked to root out the massive amount of corruption by Democrats in North Carolina over the past few years.

Now he's trying to run for US Senate and rewrite history casting himself as a corruption fighter. Please. Hopefully the media won't let this new narrative take hold.

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