NC elections board probes Pat McCrory campaign

A spokesman for likely Republican candidate for North Carolina governor Pat McCrory says the State Board of Elections has opened a new investigation of McCrory's campaign finances from his 2008 run.

Posted 11:12 p.m. Dec 2, 2011 — Updated 4:03 a.m. Dec 3, 2011

MICHAEL BIESECKER

, Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. — A spokesman for likely Republican candidate for North Carolina governor Pat McCrory says the State Board of Elections has opened a new investigation of McCrory's campaign finances from his 2008 run.

McCrory campaign consultant Jack Hawke said the new probe appears to be addressing two complaints filed more than a year ago by the Democratic Party. In both cases, the board was looking for affidavits from McCrory donors.

Hawke called both complaints "frivolous" and said the Board of Elections had already determined neither complaint had merit.

Hawke questioned the timing of the new probe, which comes the same week three people with close ties to Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue were arrested on felony charges related to campaign finance violations. As governor, Perdue appoints the elections board, which has a Democratic majority.

Elections board chairman Larry Leake could not immediately be reached for comment. Leake is a Democrat.

Hawke said the McCrory campaign found out about the new inquiry when donors were questioned. The campaign is more than happy to cooperate with the Board of Elections, Hawke said.

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