A state House panel voted unanimously Thursday to recommend the expulsion of Rep. Thomas Wright for a series of ethics violations that the panel's chairman called "breathtaking" in its level of fraud.
After four days of evidence during a historic hearing, Wright's colleagues concluded he had lied to them, disgraced his oath of office and sullied the reputation of the General Assembly, David Ingram reports.
"To allow someone to continue in public service, after violating the law likely hundreds of times over the years, would hinder, in ways I can't even imagine, the House's ability to govern," said Rep. Rick Glazier, a Fayetteville Democrat and chairman of the panel.
The recommendation sets up what would be the first expulsion of a state legislator since the 19th century.
A spokesman for House Speaker Joe Hackney said no date for a vote has been set, but that it might come after Wright's criminal trial set to begin March 31. That could make the vote moot because felons are barred from holding office.
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