Rep. Wright fails to file campaign finance report

RALEIGH — Another day, another meeting about what to do with Wilmington lawmaker Rep. Thomas Wright.

The State Board of Elections sent Wright a letter of non-compliance after he failed to file his semi-annual campaign finance report.

The Board of Elections met this morning in Chapel Hill and discussed their course of action in Thomas Wright’s latest breach of election law.

Instead of taking action Thursday the board decided to wait until Wright’s official grace period runs out on Tuesday.

The board sent Wright a letter on August 16 notifying him that he had not turned in his campaign finance report that was due in July.

Wright is supposed to respond to the letter within 20 days of receiving it. But the State Board of Elections says the Wilmington lawmaker has refused to accept the letter.

The board has the power to suspend Wright’s election campaign — meaning he couldn’t accept campaign contributions until this is corrected. On top of that, the board forwarded this possible criminal violation to the Wake County district attorney.

The DA is already investigating more serious allegations against Wright and could recommend criminal charges including felony counts of perjury, obtaining property by false pretenses and obstruction of justice.

The Wake County district attorney is expected to wrap up the investigation by October 1.

Wright did not return our calls Thursday for comment.