A private investigator hired by the N.C. Democratic Party told the State Board of Elections that he believes three Republican candidates for governor took campaign flights that do not appear in their campaign finance reports.
Anthony Asbridge, a retired IRS investigator and a forensic accountant said he reviewed campaign finance reports and news accounts concerning Patrick Ballantine, Fred Smith and Bill Graham.
News reports mentioned flights related to their campaigns, but campaign finance reports for the candidates show no entries related to paying for them.
Board members had few questions for Asbridge who was apparently brought to testify that Republicans, like former Gov. Mike Easley, took unreported campaign flights.
Comments
Perdue & Illegal Campaign flights
October 29, 2009 - 10:33pm — concerned53If the democratic party is going to pay for an investigator to dig up flights for republican candidates, let's not forget that Beverly admitted to questionable flights during her campaign only AFTER she was elected governor. How convenient for her and it now seems that she is getting off with not even a hand slap! In fact, the board thanks her for telling them 9 months after the fact. Where there is smoke, there is often fire!
Re: P.I. says GOP took unbilled flights
October 29, 2009 - 10:30pm — GrayJI am fairly sure that Fred Smith and Bill Graham own planes. This is pointless.
Re: P.I. says GOP took unbilled flights
October 29, 2009 - 6:14pm — mrcleanWhat relevance has that to do with Easley?If they have violated campaign laws and handed out favors and appointments charge them.
Re: P.I. says GOP took unbilled flights
October 29, 2009 - 6:12pm — mrcleanI don't recall any of the republicans as governor of NC and handing out favors,permits and commission apointments.
Re: P.I. says GOP took unbilled flights
October 29, 2009 - 5:13pm — BitterEXdemocratlol...grasping at delicate straws if you're trying to find much republicannot corruption in NC...doesnt happen like with the 'crackkks.
Re: P.I. says GOP took unbilled flights
October 29, 2009 - 3:46pm — ncpoliHey Ben, why not mention (as Wallace did) that the Republicans owned the planes? That's kind-of important.
Re: P.I. says GOP took unbilled flights
October 29, 2009 - 3:13pm — classifiYou would think the N&O would have done this research when they were doing their Easley series. But their goal wasn't "clean government", it was bringing Easley down. Either all who did it are guilty or "questionable" as the N&O likes to say, or none are.