North Carolina Democratic Party; authorized by Greer Beaty, candidate in House District 36

WHAT THE AD SAYS

The cover page of the brochure shows a large cruise ship. The words "The Booze Cruise" are in big type and a photo of Rep. Nelson Dollar is at the bottom left, surrounded by the words, "Starring Nelson Dollar."

Inside the mailer is a two-page spread under the headline "Nelson Dollar Went On a $30,000 Taxpayer-Funded Booze Cruise Instead of Working for Us."

On the left side is a graphical representation of a large cruise ship. Arrows point out four areas of the ship, noting that activities took place at various times:

* At 11:30 a.m., the ad says, Dollar "has a chance to dine on taxpayer funded 'shrimp, lime-smoked scallops and mussels, chopped smoked salmon spread and smoked bluefish pate.' "

* At 12:30 p.m., the ad says, Dollar "pauses to listen to the taxpayer funded steel drum band."

* At 1:30 p.m., the ad says, Dollar "is offered some taxpayer funded beer and wine."

* At 2:15 p.m., the ad says, Dollar "grabs some taxpayer-funded goodies to take home..."

A footnote in small print says, "We don't know what Nelson Dollar ate, drank or danced to, since regular citizens were not allowed on the boat." Another footnote says times are approximate.

On the right side of the brochure, the text reads: "Instead of working to improve our schools and cope with growth, Dollar's off on booze cruises. Nelson Dollar claims to support ethics reform, yet Dollar refused to sign the gift ban so he could keep taking booze cruises and accepting free hockey tickets from lobbyists."

WHAT THE RECORD SHOWS

During the tall ships festival at Beaufort in July, the state Ports Authority sponsored a two-hour cruise aboard a state ferry, the Floyd Lupton, for invited-only dignitaries.

Rep. Nelson Dollar, a Republican from Cary, is one of 14 state legislators known to have been on the cruise.

All of the legislators have said they did not know the state was paying for the cruise, which cost $31,101.

The outing generated controversy because many visitors to the festival stood in lines to see the ships. In addition, a smaller ferry was brought in to replace the Lupton's regular route, and there were traffic delays as a result.

The Ports Authority apologized, and Gov. Mike Easley issued reprimands.

Records show that a steel drum band performed and a spread of seafood, wraps and other food was offered. Beer and wine was served, along with soda and water. A gift bag was offered to guests.

There is no record of what Dollar did on the ship. He says he spent much of the time discussing ports authority issues with ports officials. He says he drank only water and ate potato chips; and he says he did not take the gift bag.

Dollar received a free ticket to the hockey playoffs this year. He says another legislator offered him the ticket and that he only realized it came from a lobbyist once he got to the game. Dollar has not signed on to a "no gifts registry" created for House members to decline items dropped off at their legislative offices.

Dollar reimbursed the Ports Authority $200 for the ferry trip and says he repaid the N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives for the hockey ticket.

IS THE AD TRUE?

Dollar was on the cruise, but the ad is misleading at best and false on some points.

The cruise was not aboard a large ship like the one shown. Three of the four charges about what Dollar did at specific times are not substantiated.

The cruise took place on July 1, a Saturday, The legislature was not in session that day.

It is true that Dollar has not signed the gift ban.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.