Marvin Speight must be smiling. The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission is back in the hot seat again. For years, Chairman Speight ran the state liquor monopoly as his own personal political fiefdom, while his boss, Governor Jim Hunt, pleaded...... MORE
Ever since 1988, any observant spectator of North Carolina’s political game has suspected two things about Democratic State Senator Tony Rand. He plays hardball and he skates very close to the ethical edge.That was the year Rand ran for Lieutenant...... MORE
North Carolina’s Capital City suffered another economic blow this month when Governor Beverly Perdue, reacting to state government’s newest pay-to-play scandal, slapped a gift ban on all state employees in an effort to keep government contractors from buying influence. Judging...... MORE
When former House Speaker Jim Black and several of his allies were convicted on corruption charges just a few years ago, public outcry compelled seemingly reluctant legislators to finally address long-needed ethics reforms, passing the first in a series of...... MORE
Free cars, free planes, cheap beachfront property, and high six-figure teaching jobs – Oh, my. Several people not named Easley – both inside and outside of government – have been dragged into the on-going controversy surrounding the state’s former First...... MORE
The state and federal probes of her predecessor have spurred Governor Bev Perdue to reform record keeping procedures for state troopers who provide security for North Carolina’s governors. "This new protocol will provide clear direction," Perdue said in a May...... MORE
The scandal surrounding former First Lady Mary Easley’s employment at NC State University is taking more twists and turns than a typical road in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and the body count is rising.Those to lose their jobs as...... MORE
There’s an old saying in politics that “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Newly opened state and federal criminal probes of former Governor Mike Easley – as well as state legislators’ demands for a special prosecutor...... MORE
An anonymous tip to a hotline within the State Auditor’s office in 2007 led to a lively legislative battle during the 2008 session over whether alleged violations of ethics laws by public officials should be handled by the Auditor, the...... MORE
He almost made it. After more than seven years of successfully stonewalling the press and public at every turn, thereby leaving little opportunity for unscripted moments that might have resulted in embarrassment - or worse, criticism, North Carolina Governor Mike...... MORE
"Our citizens have a right to demand and expect the highest ethical conduct from their leaders," said Governor Mike Easley at a press conference on March 2, 2006. But a recent deal to change the leaseholder of the state-owned Southport Marina...... MORE