Thomas Wright

Much has been written about the Thomas Wright controversy around these parts. Many, including me, called on him early to resign. Most (not including me) were pleased with the legislature's swift and certain action to expel him. I argued, perhaps wrongly, that the undertone of racism tainted the entire process.

So now let's move to sentencing, where Radio Girl does her typically excellent job on the analysis.

70 months: Wright's state sentence for three felony counts: obtaining a $150,000 mortgage under false pretenses, plus pocketing $7400 in charitable donations from Anheuser-Busch and Astra-Zeneca.

I've been listening to the hearing on State Government Radio -- with no pleasure.
www.StateGovernmentRadio.com.

Chock full of links

I'm typically a Jack Betts fan. Yesterday's blog post, however, has left me extremely disappointed. Betts hints at racism in how Democratic leadership has treated Thomas Wright and then waits to the end of the post to back away. From Bett's blog:

House Speaker Joe Hackney’s announcement Tuesday afternoon that the Legislative Ethics Committee and the House will move swiftly to consider expelling Rep. Thomas Wright, D-New Hanover, made some folks wonder: Why would the House move against Wright when it never took action against former Speaker Jim Black, now serving time in federal prison?

Notice Betts attributes this to "some folks", without getting too specific. Also notice that Betts posts his charge in the form of a question.

I'm relieved that Joe stepped up.

Updated with video, courtesy of the Dome. A.

State Rep. Thomas Wright has been indicted on five charges of obtaining property by false pretense and one charge of obstruction of justice. Wright, a Democrat, had close ties to jailed House Speaker Jim Black.

From the Charlotte Observer:

According to the indictment, Wright obstructed justice by failing to report $185,000 in contributions to his political campaign as required by state law. Investigators have said Wright spent much of the money on personal expenses, including purchases at Victoria's Secret and Circuit City.

:::snip:::

Since Jim Black checked into an extended-stay facility in Lewisburg, PA the metaphors surrounding Joe Sinsheimer have been flying thick and thin. Guest number 50655-056 at the USP Lewisburg probably has a few choice metaphors of his own given that he once called a reporter "A sorry sack of s**t", a metaphor that was not forgotten by the NC Capital Press Corps.

Under the Dome wrote a piece called A new sheriff in town? noting that

Gary Pearce and Carter Wrenn agree that Joe Sinsheimer has become a force to be reckoned with in Raleigh.

Pearce called him Joe Sledgehammer saying that:

He’s honest. He’s not beholden to anybody. And he’s a hell of a good political researcher. He knows how to get information, and he gets it right.

Stronger ethics laws are great. But what North Carolina really needs to clean up politics may just be more Sledgehammers.

It's about time.

Dear Speaker Hackney.

It's been a while since I last wrote to you - back before you were elected Speaker. From all I can see, you are doing an admirable job for the most part, navigating the swirling waters of North Carolina state politics with grace and honor. As well you should. You set the bar high in your opening speech as Speaker, when you said:

I come here today with the greatest respect for this North Carolina House of Representatives, and the people who come here to serve in it:

There is no place in this State where public servants are more in tune with the citizens of North Carolina, than in this chamber.

There is no place in this State where the issues of government and politics are better or more fully debated, than in this chamber.

There is no place in this State where the interests of the less fortunate of our citizens are better represented, than in this chamber.

It's hard to say who leaned on whom, but thanks to all of YOU - and especially Greg Flynn - for leaning on Thomas Wright over the past few weeks.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A onetime ally of former House Speaker Jim Black resigned his House committee posts Monday because of an ongoing investigation into his campaign finances. Rep. Thomas Wright, D-New Hanover, sent an e-mail to current House Speaker Joe Hackney and the chamber's Democratic members announcing his decision.

Wright said he stepped aside as chairman of the Health Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Capital so he wouldn't cast a cloud on the Democratic Party.