N&O: Easley's golf club received water during drought

In 2002, North Carolina was in the midst of a four-year drought, and Easley was urging citizens and businesses to conserve water.

The N&O reported Sunday that during that drought, Old Chatham Golf Club, 1480 O’Kelly Chapel Road, removed nearly 6 million gallons from a nearby creek to irrigate its grass. The creek feeds into Jordan Lake, which provides water for Cary and Apex.

“What people need to realize is that the club stood to lose probably over a million dollars if that grass was allowed to die,” said Joe Sinsheimer, a Democratic political consultant.

Sinsheimer, who has worked on political corruption cases in the past, said protecting the club members' stake in the grass during a drought doesn't look good in the eyes of the public.

"To think that the governor was taking care of his golf club buddies at the same time that he is telling the rest of the state to sacrifice, just makes it even more hypocritical,” Sinsheimer said.

The N&O report states that the Governor's Office was involved in the decision to allow the club to pump the water. The club also granted Easley a free membership, worth an estimated $50,000, which he failed to disclose, according to the N&O report.

Easley's campaign finances, including numerous flights aboard private planes, are the subject of a federal criminal investigation and a hearing later this month before the State Board of Elections.

The board could take no action or could issue a reprimand or fine in the case. The findings also could be turned over to the Wake County District Attorney's Office.

As far as the federal investigation, the grand jury has also subpoenaed other records relating to Easley's travel and vehicles provided to the governor and his family while he was in office.

It is also looking at two land deals, his wife's high-paying job at North Carolina State University and decisions by the state Division of Motor Vehicles that might have benefited a political contributor.