Wright’s fate to be decided at historic special session

RALEIGH (AP) — No member of the General Assembly has been removed from office in nearly 130 years. But Thursdaythat streak could end with Rep. Thomas Wright.

The state House will meet at 10 a.m. in special session to consider expelling the Wilmington Democrat out of office for ethical misconduct.

Earlier this month, a special House ethics committee recommended the expulsion. The comittee said Wright mishandled or hid about $340,000 in loans and campaign and charitable contributions. Wright says he did nothing wrong.

Only about a dozen lawmakers have been booted from office in state history. The last to face such a potential fate was former House Speaker Jim Black, who resigned as prosecutors closed in during a corruption investigation that ultimately sent him to federal prison.

Rep. Thomas Wright story archive

NC House member plans to offer censure amendment for Wright

RALEIGH (AP) — A state House member says he will oppose efforts to remove Rep. Thomas Wright from the General Assembly.

Rep. Earl Jones of Greensboro said Wednesday he will offer legislation to censure Wright for ethical misconduct, not throw him out of office. The Legislature will meet in a special session Thursday to consider Wright’s future.

A bipartisan House ethics committee recommended earlier this month that Wright be expelled for misusing about $340,000 in loans and campaign and charitable contributions.

Jones said the committee used a standard of evidence that’s too low to justify expulsion. The panel said there was “clear and convincing” evidence that Wright participated in misconduct.

A North Carolina state lawmaker hasn’t been expelled since 1880.

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