NC DMV workers retire after being cleared in probe

RALEIGH -- Two officials with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles are retiring after they were cleared by an investigation into whether they took free tickets from a vendor to a state inauguration event. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Tuesday that questions arose after Gov. Beverly Perdue's inauguration as to whether the employees took tickets from Verizon Business. Brian Bozard and Deborah Brewer are retiring as of May 1. DMV Commissioner Mike Robertson said neither retired under pressure. Verizon is paid $9 million annually to handle data for the state's electronic auto inspection program. An investigative report said Brewer received three tickets to an event from Verizon and paid the company with a $475 check. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)