Testimony: NC gov gave sharp words on fired worker

RALEIGH, N.C. — Mike Easley’s communications director says the ex-North Carolina governor provided the sharp words in 2007 explaining why a Cabinet agency’s public affairs director was fired.

Sherri Johnson disclosed Easley’s involvement in a deposition last week for a lawsuit. Several media outlets accuse Easley and his workers of deleting e-mails in violation of public records laws.

The governor’s press office had called health department press officer Debbie Crane “dishonest, untruthful and insubordinate.” Johnson said under oath Easley “dictated it word for word and ordered” the statement be sent out.

The department said Crane was fired for advising the health secretary not to talk to a newspaper about its mental health investigation. Crane later made allegations that became the basis for the pending lawsuit.

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