Jan 02, 2008
New Year Starts with old problem for Wright
- Asheville Citizen-Times

 
The year 2008 has opened in Raleigh with some lingering unpleasant business left over from 2007 — the case of Rep. Thomas Wright, D-New Hanover. 
 
The ethics accusations leveled against Wright are serious, with allegations he hoodwinked campaign contributors, banks and corporations out of $350,000. Calls for the eight-term representative to step down reached a crescendo last spring, when fellow Democrats Gov. Mike Easley and House Speaker Joe Hackney suggested he head for the exit. 
 
 
Given the fact Wright was indicted last month on an obstruction of justice charge and five charges of obtaining property by false pretenses, we see no reason why that assessment should change. 
 
On Monday Wright appeared in a Raleigh courtroom to answer to the charges. Even that short appearance added an additional layer of contention to the saga: His lawyer didn’t appear with him. (Wright said he was at a trial). Judge Donald Stephens ordered the lawyer, Douglas Harris, to appear Friday, saying, “I want a lawyer here to stand before me and tell me he represents Mr. Wright.’’ 
 
2 investigations 
Wright is the focus of two legislative committees. A House group is looking at the criminal charges leveled against Wright; a House-Senate committee is also probing Wright. Either committee could issue a recommendation to the House calling for Wright’s censure or removal. 
 
In a nutshell, the charges against Wright go like this: He allegedly spent nearly a quarter of a million dollars in campaign contributions for personal purposes over six years. Additionally, Wright is said to have asked a prominent state official to write a letter saying a historic building would receive a state grant of $150,000. (No such grant existed). A community health foundation headed by Wright in Wilmington was to turn the building into a museum commemorating the horrific race riots of 1898. The letter noting a grant that didn’t exist was used to get a bank loan, which in turn wasn’t repaid, and subsequently the building went into foreclosure. 
 
Prison time possible 
If Wright is convicted on all the charges he faces, he could be in prison a very long time. As it is, he hasn’t even effectively responded to them publicly, despite being under an ethical cloud for a couple of years. The episode is a reminder of ethical woes in some corners of state government that have been all-too evident for years, scandals that have taken down a one-time agriculture commissioner and House speaker.  
 
The reminders of that speaker, Jim Black, are not surprising. Wright was an ally and defender of Black when he faced ethical charges, and Black overstayed his welcome in state government. 
 
It’s possible Wright can see his name cleared, but it doesn’t seem possible he can effectively represent his constituents. 
 
Gary Robertson of The Associated Press reported State Sen. Julia Boseman, D-New Hanover, told television station WECT the Wright case “… is a disgrace for North Carolina. It’s a disgrace for Wilmington. I wish he would step down so we could have somebody in there who could help us.” 
 
If Wright doesn’t do his constituents right, it’s up to the House to do it for them. In North Carolina, a House member hasn’t been kicked out since 1880.  
 
2008 may be the time to see that streak end.