Aide to ex-NC governor heading to federal court

RALEIGH, N.C. — Former North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley’s personal assistant and special counsel while in office is heading to federal court a week after a grand jury indicted him on 51 corruption-related charges.

Federal court records show Ruffin Poole is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday afternoon before Judge Terrence Boyle.

Poole is accused of extortion, bribery, racketeering and money laundering among other charges. The indictment accuses Poole of benefiting financially with gifts and investments while helping expedite coastal developments in need of regulatory approval.

An arrest warrant was issued for Poole on Jan. 21, but federal authorities said he would be able to turn himself in.

Easley hasn’t been charged with crimes.

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