NC State blocks part of Mary Easley’s job

RALEIGH — An academic center that was to be run by former first lady Mary Easley has been put on hold by North Carolina State University. The move has the effect of blocking Easley from doing a large part of her controversial job.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday that the university imposed a moratorium on new academic centers as part of expected budget cutting.

Easley last year was given the new position and an 88 percent pay raise to $170,000 a year. That job and how she got it has come under scrutiny of university officials and a federal grand jury.

Easley initially was hired when her husband still was governor to run a speakers series at the Raleigh campus.

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