Robin Hayes Coverage

Bribery conviction overturned in major North Carolina political scandal

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a bribery conviction Wednesday in one of the state's biggest political scandals, saying the judge who tried the case two years ago gave the jury bad instructions on a key element of the case.

Travis Fain, state government reporter

Trump pardons Robin Hayes but not others in NC bribery case

Robin Hayes, a former congressman and chairman of the N.C. Republican Party, was pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in a political corruption case. But others in the case, including Durham businessman Greg Lindberg, weren't pardoned.

On Trump's pardon list: former NC GOP chairman, Steve Bannon

President Donald Trump pardoned a former North Carolina Republican Party chairman, a former chief strategist and even rapper Lil Wayne in his final hours in office.

By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ERIC TUCKER and JILL COLVIN, Associated Press

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Timelines

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Editorial: N.C. leaders should be models of public trust, not rule dodgers

Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 -- Abuse and neglect of the public trust. It is the soaring hypocrisy of our state's most powerful leaders as they skirt and violate laws while at the same time determining the rules, regulations and laws that oversee the conduct of all citizens. They should be role models for fair and honest play, not Exhibit No. 1 for dodging rules and exploiting loopholes.

NC mega-donor gets 7+ years for bribery; former congressman gets probation

Judge says the rich are buying and selling government "like sacks of potatoes."

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Ex-GOP official agrees to help feds with bribery investigation

Former North Carolina congressman and state Republican Party chairman Robin Hayes pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to the FBI during an investigation of bribery allegations into a major political donor.

Former NC GOP chairman pleads guilty to lying to FBI

Former North Carolina congressman and state Republican Party chairman Robin Hayes pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to the FBI during an investigation of bribery allegations into a major political donor.

Adam Owens, WRAL anchor/reporter

Ex-NC GOP chair to plead guilty to lying to FBI

Former North Carolina congressman and state GOP chairman Robin Hayes has agreed to plead guilty to lying to the FBI during a sting that netted indictments against Hayes, a wealthy Durham investor and two associates.

Former state GOP chair pleading guilty to lying to FBI in bribery case

Immediate past chairman and former N.C. congressman Robin Hayes acknowledges he lied to the investigators.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Bribery trial of NC political donor, GOP chairman pushed to September

A date hasn't been set, but a federal judge targets September for now.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Key dates in the investigation of North Carolina billionaire political donor

The U.S. Attorney's Office has filed fraud and bribery charges against North Carolina GOP chairman Robin Hayes, Durham businessman Greg Lindberg and two of Lindberg's associates. Here are key dates in the case.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: N.C. GOP - 'stepping on a rake'

Monday, April 8, 2019 -- Capitol Broadcasting's editorial cartoonist.

Another week of political scandal in North Carolina

Federal investigators, already looking into election impropriety in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District, are now also looking into allegations of bribery and fraud against the chairman of the state GOP, a wealthy Durham businessman and two of his associates.

The Lindberg case: A special edition of The Wrap

The fallout from federal bribery charges against a Durham businessman who's a major political donor touch both the Republican and Democratic parties in North Carolina, as well as politicians in other states.

ALAN BLINDER & RICHARD FAUSSET: Like 'stepping on a rake': Wave of scandals hits N.C. GOP

Saturday, April 6, 2019 -- When North Carolina Republicans took control of virtually every lever of state government for the first time since Reconstruction, they set out to transform a historically moderate Southern state into a conservative stronghold. That was less than seven years ago. These days, the question is how much Republicans may have set their project back with a recent string of remarkable self-inflicted wounds.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Toxic environments in N.C.

Thursday, April 4, 2019 -- Capitol Broadcasting's editorial cartoonist.

Legislative leaders met with indicted donor; Senate GOP declined donation

Dozens of politicians and political groups got money from a Durham businessman who's been indicted in an alleged bribery scheme.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief