Indicted Rep. Wright won’t face late filing penalty

WILMINGTON (AP) — Indicted state Rep. Thomas Wright is no longer facing a fine for failing to file his campaign contributions report last year.

Officials with the State Board of Elections have told Wright that the $500 maximum fine was waived. The waivers are routinely offered for candidates who miss their first deadline each election cycle.

Elections board director Gary Bartlett said the Wilmington Democrat should have never received the waiver because the board has already closed Wright’s campaign committee. He said the elections board has turned over all details to prosecutors.

Wright faces fraud charges and a legislative ethics probe for his handling of more than $350,000 in campaign donations, loans and charitable money. Wright’s trial is scheduled to start March 3 in Wake County Superior Court.

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