State employees' group deny bribe attempt

RALEIGH -- The leader of a state employees' group says the allegations the group's attorney tried to bribe State Treasurer Richard Moore are preposterous. Moore filed an emergency motion asking that a public records lawsuit filed against him by the State Employee Association of North Carolina be dismissed because of the conduct of an association lawyer. Superior Court Judge Jim Hardin heard Moore's request Thursday in Raleigh, but didn't immediately issue a ruling. Moore's lawyers say association attorney Tom Harris offered to end the group's pending lawsuit against Moore he if would publicly endorse a bill sought by the association. Association's executive director Dana Cope acknowledged that Harris had offered the settlement terms to Moore's attorneys, but said it was only part of the bargaining to settle the lawsuit out of court. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)