NC auditors appear for Easley grand jury hearing

RALEIGH -- An auditor who investigated former North Carolina first lady Mary Easley's employment by the state's largest university has appeared to testify before a federal grand jury. The official from state Auditor Beth Wood's office was among four men who arrived Thursday at the federal courthouse in Raleigh. A federal grand jury has been hearing evidence into the dealings of former Gov. Mike Easley and his wife Mary. The auditors responding to the subpoena included Lawen Becote, a supervisor in the state agency's investigative unit. He was one of the auditors involved in an investigation of Mary Easley's employment deal at North Carolina State started last year by then-Auditor Les Merritt, who lost re-election in November. Democrat Beth Wood said the Easley audit wasn't credible enough to be released. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)