Wright pleads not guilty to wrongly obtaining, using $350,000

RALEIGH (AP) — State Representative Thomas Wright has pleaded not guilty to six felony charges that accuse him of illegally obtaining or misusing more than $350,000.

His attorney, Douglas Harris, entered the plea for Wright in a Wake County courtroom on Friday. Wright also was in court but didn’t comment.

Prosecutors accuse the Wilmington Democrat of fraudulently obtaining $160,000 in bank loans for a foundation he led in Wilmington and converting $185,000 in campaign contributions to his
personal use.

He could face up to 11 years in prison.

After the hearing, Harris said he believes Wright is innocent based on his review of two boxes of evidence prosecutors gave Wright this week. Harris said he expects a trial date set for sometime this summer.

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