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NC law blocks public info about lobbying offenses

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RALEIGH, N.C. -- Some North Carolina legislators say they made a mistake when tweaking the state's ethics and lobbying laws two years ago, one that means the public has no right to information about violations of lobbying rules.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported that the issue surfaced this week when former lobbyist Don Beason appealed a fine of $111,000. But the only information publicly available about the fine came in a court filing from his lawyer.

Sen. David Hoyle of Gaston County says the Legislature missed that part of the law when changing the state's ethics and lobbying laws in 2008. Rep. Paul Stam says the law needs to be fixed.

Lawmakers could take up the issue May 12, when the Legislature convenes.

Information from: The News & Observer

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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