RALEIGH (AP) -- A onetime ally of former House Speaker Jim Black resigned his House committee posts today because of an ongoing investigation into his campaign finances.

Representative 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 says 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.

The state elections board is investigating a complaint filed against Wright in December by Democratic consultant Joe Sinsheimer, who says Wrights delayed disclosure of 41-thousand dollars in campaign donations.

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