NC attorneys say House, committee has power to investigate Wright

RALEIGH (AP) — State attorneys the North Carolina House of Representatives has the authority to investigate lawmaker Thomas Wright and can punish or expel him from the chamber if it chooses.

The lawyers filed a response Thursday to a brief filed recently by Wright’s attorneys, questioning the legitimacy of a committee investigating him on allegations of misconduct.

Wright has been formally accused by a special House panel for his actions involving loans for his foundation, charitable contributions and his failure to report $185,000 in campaign
contributions. The panel is slated to meet next month to consider in detail the eight counts against him.

State attorneys Bill Hart and Alexander Peters pointed out that the House has used its authority in times past to expel members for wrongdoing. The Legislature, however, hasn’t done so in 128 years.

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