Perdue’s Commitment to Fighting Corruption in Question

Raleigh, N.C. – Last week, Lanny Wilson, a fundraiser for former Governor Mike Easley and Governor Bev Perdue, resigned from the DOT Board. He has not resigned from his position on the state’s Turnpike Authority Board, a position he was appointed to by Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, a Democrat from Dare County. According to news reports, Wilson was the “Wilmington Financier” referred to in the federal indictment of Ruffin Poole and appears to be engaged in the trading of money for favors from state officials, including appointments to various state boards. (Section 12, United States vs. Charles Ruffin Poole, Grand Jury Indictment; “Indictment of Easley aide portrays Lanny Wilson as a major player,” Wilmington StarNews, 1/21/10)

When Wilson resigned from the DOT Board, Perdue “accepted the resignation and thanked Wilson for his service.” (“Key fundraiser resigns from transportation board,” News & Observer, 1/21/10)

In demanding Governor Perdue remove Wilson from the Turnpike Authority, Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) made the following statement:

“How can Governor Perdue claim to be fighting corruption in state government when she reappointed Lanny Wilson to the DOT Board; then ‘thanked’ him for his ‘service’ after he resigned hours before his actions in a 51-count federal corruption, racketeering and money laundering indictment were made public?

“The fact that Lanny Wilson still sits on the Turnpike Authority Board after this indictment means one of two things: either Governor Perdue has no idea Lanny Wilson serves on the board or he continues to serve there with her support. I’m not sure which is worse. If Wilson will not resign from the Turnpike Authority Board, Perdue should remove him immediately.”

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