Former Rep. Wright guilty, sentenced to up to 8 years in prison

RALEIGH (AP) — Former Rep. Thomas Wright has been sentenced between roughly six and eight years in prison after a jury found him guilty of fraud.

The crimes are nearly identical to those that led his colleagues in the House to kick him out of office.

A Wake County jury ruled Monday that Wright mishandled thousands of dollars in charitable contributions and fraudulently obtained a $150,000 loan. He was acquitted of mishandle a $1,500 donation from AT&T Corp.

Defense attorney Douglas Harris promised an appeal and again blamed Wright’s political enemies for instigating the investigation. Wright declined to comment.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)