A lobbyist reportedly attempted to bribe a legislator to kill a bill.
The joint Legislative Ethics Committee reported today that it received a question from a lawmaker who had been approached by a lobbyist over a bill.
According to ethics co-chair Rep. Rick Glazier, the lobbyist told the legislator that a client would forgive a substantial debt owed by one of the legislator's constituents if he killed a bill he had sponsored.
The lawmaker, whose identity has not been revealed, then approached the ethics committee, asking what he should do.
After multiple emergency sessions, the 11-member ethics committee told the lawmaker that ethically he could continue with the bill, but as a practical matter he might want a cosponsor to do the heavy lifting on the floor.
Glazier said he was restricted by ethics rules from naming the legislator or the lobbyist, and the committee has no authority over lobbyists. However, he said that it can refer a case to law enforcement when appropriate, although it cannot confirm if it has.
He also praised the lawmaker for contacting the committee.
"The legislator absolutely did the right thing," he said.
Update: Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Roy Cooper, would not confirm whether they had received a referral.
"We can't comment on it at this time," she said.
Second Update: House Speaker Joe Hackney said he learned of the opinion earlier this week. All four caucuses were briefed on the issue.
Hackney declined to name any of the people involved.
"The ethics process which we set up ... worked exactly the way they were supposed to," he said.
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Re: Report: Lobbyist tried to bribe
This isn't over.
Worst season cliffhanger ever.