Former NC ethanol company officials face charges

RALEIGH — A federal grand jury has charged two former executives at a company seeking to build an ethanol plant in eastern North Carolina with conspiring to commit extortion and bribery.

David Lee Brady and James Perry Jr. were released on bond after appearing in court to face charges contained in a 12-count indictment unsealed Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors allege Brady and Perry bribed a state environmental regulator to expedite permits for a $220 million plant proposed by their company, Agri-Ethanol Inc. The men are also
accused of lying to a federal grand jury.

The state environmental official pleaded guilty to extortion and money laundering charges earlier this year. Boyce Hudson was sentenced in August to four years in prison.

Brady’s attorney Steven Smith said Tuesday that neither perjury nor bribery was committed.

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