Republican Leaders Call for Probe into Easley’s ‘Lost’ Travel Records

Raleigh, N.C. – Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) today called on the co-chairmen of the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety to investigate missing Highway Patrol travel records for former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley.  House Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake) made an identical request to the co-chairmen of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety. A recent News & Observer series brought to light a pattern of questionable activity surrounding Easley’s years as Governor; they include possible violations of ethics and campaign finance laws including free and undisclosed air travel on private or corporate aircraft.

 

Below is the text of Berger’s letter to Sens. Eleanor Kinnaird and John Snow:

 

Dear Senator Kinnaird and Senator Snow:

 

The News & Observer reports that the State Highway Patrol has ‘lost’ an entire year of former Governor Easley’s travel records.  The patrol also refuses to fully answer the news media’s questions regarding former Governor Easley’s travel – or explain what happened to the records. Surely, they did not just disappear. 

 

These reports – and the appearance of ongoing violations of State Ethics laws – are of great concern to the Republicans in the legislature.  The General Assembly has a responsibility to investigate fully – and determine what happened to the records.

 

I respectfully request that you convene the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Justice and Public Safety, immediately, and call Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary, Reuben Young, and Highway Patrol Commander, Walter Wilson, to testify – in the interest of full and complete public disclosure.

 

I would be grateful for your response at your earliest convenience.  Thank you and best regards.

 

Sincerely,

 

Philip E. Berger

Republican Leader

North Carolina Senate

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