NC State: No money to settle Mary Easley claim

RALEIGH — North Carolina State University’s top official says the school doesn’t have enough money to pay a settlement to former first lady Mary Easley, who is appealing her contract termination.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Thursday that interim Chancellor Jim Woodward also said Easley certainly knew that her husband, former Gov. Mike Easley, pushed officials to hire her.

Mary Easley had gotten a five-year contract worth $850,000 to run a speaker series and create a public safety leadership center. A former N.C. State chancellor and provost have resigned amid disclosures about the job.

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