State Rep. Wright to appear in court on felony charges

RALEIGH (AP) — State Representative Thomas Wright has been given two boxes of evidence that prosecutors collected in their criminal case against him.

Wake County District Attorney Colin Willoughby released the evidence during a court hearing Monday.

Wright has been charged with five felony counts for fraudulently obtaining $160,000 in bank loans and pocketing $185,000 meant for his campaign.

He declined comment after the hearing Monday. Another hearing is scheduled Friday.

Meanwhile, a panel of six House members will meet later this week to decide whether there’s enough evidence to show that Wright may have participated in unethical or illegal conduct.

The committee could recommend to the entire chamber that Wright be censured or removed from office.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)