Gov. Perdue won’t say much about Easley controversy

Gov. Beverly Perdue says she’s closely watching the controversy surrounding Mary Easley’s job at North Carolina State University but wouldn’t say whether the former first
lady should resign.

Perdue said Tuesday that she hopes the situation gets resolved quickly.

Easley received a five-year contract last year that will pay her $850,000 to run a campus speaker series and public safety center.

The university’s provost and board of trustees chairman stepped down last week amid accusations they acted inappropriately when hiring Easley. Both have denied any wrongdoing.

University Chancellor James Oblinger and University of North Carolina system President Erskine Bowles said Monday that she should step down.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)