Two with ties to Perdue surrender at Wake jail

Both were quickly released on $50,000 unsecured bonds.

Julia Leigh Sitton of Morganton recently resigned as director of the governor's Western Office. Sitton was indicted on two felony charges Monday, accused of accepting $32,000 in secret salary payments from illegal campaign donations when she worked for Perdue's 2008 campaign.

Sitton was accompanied by her father, husband and attorney to the Wake County Courthouse. All declined to comment.

Perdue family friend Trawick H. "Buzzy" Stubbs Jr. of New Bern faces felony charges for providing more than $28,000 in undisclosed flights on a private plane to Perdue. Stubbs, a Republican, was the law partner of the governor's late first husband.

Attorney David Long said Stubbs was "coping" with being charged in the case, and Stubbs was positive as he left the courthouse, saying that, in hindsight, he wouldn't do anything differently.

"I appreciate the overwhelming support of the press and media. I've been surprised about how supportive they've been," he said.

Former Perdue campaign finance director Peter A. Reichard was also indicted on an obstruction charge for allegedly securing the money to pay Sitton. He was released on bond Tuesday.

Reichard is working on a plea deal with prosecutors, attorney Hart Miles said. Stubbs won't enter such negotiations, Long said.

"He certainly had no intent to violate any law, and he intends to plead not guilty, and we'll look forward to going to trial," Long said.