Ruh Roh!!! NC GOP chairman indicted on Bribery and Wire Fraud charges (Raleigh: for sale, insurance)
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There's so much to absorb here. Let's start with this:
"Hayes, a former congressman and GOP candidate for governor, is also charged with three counts of lying to the FBI. On Monday he announced that he wouldn't seek another term as chairman of the state Republican Party, citing his health."
Yep, federal indictments can be hazardous to your health, kids! Then there's this:
"Lindberg, whose Durham and Raleigh mansions recently went up for sale, has given more than $5 million to North Carolina political campaigns over the last few years, including more than $1.49 million to the state Republican Party. The state party turned around and gave $250,000 of that to Causey's campaign, and the indictment alleges this was an effort to get around state political giving rules, which allow unlimited donations to parties but cap individual campaign donations at $5,400."
Another tip, kids: Putting both your mansions up for sale will draw interest to you whether you like it or not. Next!
"Causey later met with Palermo at a closed restaurant in Chapel Hill, and Palermo suggested the commissioner hire him at the department, the indictment states."
Oh man, I hope it was Pepper's Pizza! Or maybe Krispy Kreme? Anyway, onward:
"The indictment also references an unidentified "Public Official A" that Gray and Lindberg discussed via text message, and who called Causey to "explain that Lindberg was doing good things for North Carolina business" two days after Lindberg made a $150,000 contribution on Feb. 5, 2018, to a committee supporting the official. A joint fundraising committee for Republican 6th District Congressman Mark Walker logged a $150,000 Lindberg donation Feb. 17, 2018.Walker spokesman Jack Minor said Tuesday he couldn't confirm that the congressman, who like Causey is from Guilford County, is "Public Official A." He said Walker has cooperated with the Department of Justice in the case, but that he couldn't characterize the nature of that assistance. "He has not been a target of the investigation and he has assisted the DOJ,” Minor said."
Oh, all clear then for Congressman Walker, right? No worries, just a weird coincidence? Got it! Let's continue:
"Lindberg is also Lt. Gov. Dan Forest's largest donor, having given more than $2 million to political committees supporting him. Hal Weatherman, the head of Forest's exploratory committee for the 2020 gubernatorial race, said in an email that Forest was never questioned by the FBI or other investigators, was never subpoenaed and isn't "Public Official A." Forest told reporters as he headed into an state Senate session Tuesday that he is friends with the people indicted, calling them "good guys." He said neither Lindberg nor his associates ever asked him for anything in return for campaign donations. Lindberg gave $1.4 million to the N.C. Republican Council of State Committee, which Forest chairs, and the lieutenant governor said the group would have to meet to decide how to proceed. He said giving up the money is "certainly an option," but he declined to identify other members of the group that would make that decision."
Well gee, why would they give up the money for a swell bunch of fellows you just called "good guys," am I right? Finally, this:
"As the federal investigation of Lindberg's dealings became public knowledge last year, Forest said repeatedly that the process needed to play out and that he was comfortable keeping the donations. He said Tuesday that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that the indictments have "absolutely nothing to do with us. It has nothing to do with dirty money or anything else at this point. It has to do with that situation that they were in at the time. I don't know where this is going to lead to in the end. Like I said, in America, you are innocent until proven guilty."
You certainly are, Lt. Gov. Forest. But if I were you at this point and wanted to keep my hopes of being a viable candidate for governor alive in 2020, I'd be avoiding any contact whatsoever with these "good guys" of yours. Voters have a tendency of not liking these sorts of activities in state government. Consider yourself warned.
If the Democrats are doing the same thing, they should go to jail as well! I believe in equal-opportunity prison sentences. Apparently in NC, as well as the other 49 states, the "clean hands" of politicians are as rare as passenger pigeons!
Sad that this makes people happy on here ... same people who likely were rooting for the mueller report to reveal something.
I'm not happy about this about all. I'm disgusted by the behavior of these leaders and their failure to admit they were doing wrong and acting in their own selfish interests above the people they are supposed to represent. They can deny all they want to do, but the preponderance of evidence is so strong against them, I can't see how they'll win a court, much less the court of public opinion. These guys should've known better than what they were doing, and I hope they get penalized properly for whatever counts they're found guilty.
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