Days Behind Bars Numbered for Ex-Ag Commissioner

Raleigh, N.C. — Former state Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps is scheduled to be released from federal prison in less than two weeks after serving almost four years in connection with a campaign finance scandal.

Phipps pleaded guilty in November 2003 to two counts of extortion, two counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy in exchange for prosecutors dropping more than two dozen other charges against her.

She admitted to accepting illegal cash and submitting false campaign finance reports to cover her tracks. She also said she extorted money from carnival operators in exchange for lucrative contracts at the North Carolina State Fair.

A Wake County jury also convicted Phipps on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. The state case detailed how she lied under oath before the State Board of Elections during a hearing into illegal campaign contributions.

Three of Phipps' former aides also pleaded guilty to their involvement in the scandal.

Phipps, the daughter of former Gov. Bob Scott and the granddaughter of former Gov. Kerr Scott, plans to serve the final months of her sentence on house arrest in Alamance County.

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Latest Comments

Hondaman, you are so wrong. First off, most corporations only care about the last 7 years. 2nd, most people don't care about such trivial things as a criminal record, hell we have 12 million criminals in the country illegally, noone is trying to get rid of them.

refiman
April 13, 2007 9:58 a.m.

Anyway they could keep that low-life theif for a longer time. She ripped off the same people she was hired to assist. Keep her, throw away the key.

refiman
April 13, 2007 9:54 a.m.

WRAL going to cover the release of all criminal? Who cares, if she did her time, let her be and report some real news.

Bob3425
April 13, 2007 5:42 a.m.

SHE IS STILL A CRIMINAL! (PERIOD!!!!) RICH!!!! BUT STILL A CRIMINAL!!!!

Fence Straddler
April 13, 2007 5:39 a.m.

hondaman,

Would you not agree it is a deserved price to pay? We all start life with a clean slate, if we choose to tarnish it by making poor decisions, there is no one to blame but yourself. I live my life as a good citizen, so therefore that reputation should be put above a criminals when applying for a job.

poohperson2000
April 12, 2007 3:11 p.m.