The outside panel investigating what happened to missing travel records that detailed former Gov. Mike Easley's travel in 2005 has found nothing.
N.C. Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Reuben Young appointed the panel that included two former judges and a former U.S. Senator to investigate the disappearance of the records.
In sum, while we found minor inconsistencies in the stories about the records, we did not find the records themselves or any clear indication of wrongdoing in their disappearance or destruction. To the best of our knowledge, we have exhausted the possibilities but failed to produce definitive answers and bring closure to the matter.
The 10-page report was signed by Willis Whichard, a former state Supreme Court justice and former Campbell University law school dean; Robert Morgan, a former U.S. senator, former SBI director and former state attorney general; and Ralph Walker, a former superior and court of appeals judge and former director of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Easley told the panel that he was not aware that the records were even kept. The panel found Easley's story credible.
"While it is, of course, possible that it is not true, we can point to nothing that would enable someone to prove it false," the panel wrote.
The panel began its investigation after a Highway Patrol secretary told The News & Observer that she was told to save space on her computer by deleting the records even though she didn't have a shortage of space on her machine.
Travel records for other years were key to N&O reports that showed Easley took free flights from supporters who had mutually beneficial relationships with Easley.
Comments
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 8, 2010 - 8:27am — KingixolibBitterex...... two words "career politicians"!
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 8, 2010 - 7:46am — Prototype"....we did not find the records themselves or any clear indication of wrongdoing in their disappearance or destruction."
This reminds me of the mom who asks her son: "What happened to the chocolate chip cookies I just baked?"
The little boy, with cookie crumbs on his face, smiles and says: "I don't know what happened to them."
I believe we know what happened to the missing records. A little boy ate them.
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 8, 2010 - 7:12am — BitterEXdemocratHOW did NC EVER get to BE so damn CORRUPT???
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 8, 2010 - 1:02am — JohnlawretHas everyone forgotten the "gift" his Patrol Buddy brought to his house? This panel was made up of three loyal Democrats who owe their careers to the same bunch who are covering for Easley. I wouldn't trust "Little" Bobby Morgan as far as I could throw him and the other two members are about as credible. By the time the Federal DA gets through with the Patrol Bag Boy he may take the fall for Easley or suddenly remember what he took to Easley when he was seen entering Easley's house with a container and leaving empty handed. Murphy, don't fall on your sword for Mike, he's not worth it.
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 8, 2010 - 12:09am — kingfatherHow could anyone expect some Democrats in Nc appointed by a democrat to find anything wrong done by another Democrat. Are you crazy to waste the time and money of the taxpayers just to produce a report which no one with any common sense believes. Just another taxpayer paid debacle orchestrated by Democrats to protect and white wash Democrats' illegal activities. remember all this next November voters. Here's your chance to show our corrupt politicians that their games are over, and that the new group is going to hold them accountable--not sweep things under the carpet--wink-wink for the good ol boys and gals.
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 8:18pm — Taxpayer2008"The outside panel investigating what happened to missing travel records that detailed former Gov. Mike Easley's travel in 2005 has found nothing.
N.C. Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Reuben Young appointed the panel..."
"...a Highway Patrol secretary told The News & Observer that she was told to save space on her computer by deleting the records"
Bwahahahahahah what a joke. She deleted the records! Thats why they couldn't find them...DUH.
So... Easley never existed in 2005? What abunch of morons.
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 7:50pm — luciferThe records are there. You have to look in the right place.
Look at the jet logs and the FAA flight plans. And the hotel records. And the police logs.........
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 7:33pm — PuddentainYep, no surprise here
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 6:48pm — wheelofvoterThe federal probe will do a more competent job. Easley is dirty and his political manipulation ends at the NC border. Sorry, but this finding is not credible. Willis Whichard, Robert Morgan, and Ralph Walker should be quite ashamed. One day, it will become clear how much damage Easley did to NC State Government. How about if Easley proves he did something ethical? That is something he could never prove because it never happened. Case in point: Staci Meyer, Labor Commission, and Libba Evans, Psycho farm. Pepsi America!
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 6:24pm — omegamanWhy am I not surprised with the results? Just for the sake of argument why don't they charge the NCSHP Officer who removed the records with obstruction and see if he "sings"? But, oh yeah, that won't work will it? Seems NCSHP has problems within their own ranks.
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 6:11pm — Cicero02Pattern of record destruction -- Former Gov. Easley used unabashedly the practice of withholding records in legal matters from even the time he was a rural district attorney.
The Rules of Evidence accepts the existence of a pattern of behavior as indicating that the behavior occurred in a particular incidence.
If the Panel wants to prove anything, all it needs to do is broaden its scope of investigation.
(Even I possess evidence of this Easley's prior behavior, and I'd be glad to help the Panel. If you want to prove anything Panel, call me. You have my number.)
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 5:23pm — nancyncNo trail, no trouble eh Easley?
Wonder if ol' Bev is going to try the same approach, since her travel payments seemed to have already caused her some consternation.
Typical.
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 5:21pm — ccobraIf he had of been a Republican they not only would have found the records but would have found the notes he passed around in high school. Just another cover up.
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 4:35pm — NotLiberalIs anyone truly surprised by these results?
Re: Missing records panel comes up empty
January 7, 2010 - 4:29pm — Isaac136Golly Gee, this sure is perplexing. Wonder where on earth those records could have gotten to. And what a strange coincidence that these records, which could be pertinent to a criminal investigation of our former governor, should happen to go missing. Go figure.