Judge declines to halt state Rep. Wright’s ethics hearing

RALEIGH (AP) — A Wake County judge has declined to stop a legislative panel from meeting next week to consider ethics accusations against Rep. Thomas Wright.

Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway declined Thursday to get involved in a legislative matter involving Wright. The Wilmington Democrat is accused of eight misconduct charges by a House
committee that could recommend to the full House that he be censured or removed from office.

Wright’s attorney had argued that allowing Monday’s hearing to go forward would hurt Wright in an upcoming criminal trial on similar accusations.

Wright was indicted in December on six felony counts. Prosecutors said he misused or failed to report more than $350,000 in campaign donations, loans and charitable money.

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