The new head of the state agency charged with busting illegal video poker took a $500 campaign contribution from a man who has backed legalizing the gambling games.
John Ledford was sworn in as director of state Alcohol Law Enforcement on Wednesday in Madison County, where he has served as sheriff the last 10 years.
In raising money for his re-election campaign in 2006, Ledford accepted $500 from Howard Cole of Weaverville, owner of Cole Vending Co.
Cole has been a leader in the video poker industry's political efforts to win legalization and has been a frequent contributor to the campaigns of Democrats such as former House Speaker Jim Black and former Gov. Mike Easley, as well as committees seeking to elect Republican candidates.
At the time Cole gave the money to Ledford, he was on the board of the N.C. Amusement Machine Association, a leading video poker lobbying group.
Dome was unable to review finance reports from Ledford's earlier campaigns because the offices of the Madison County Board of Elections were flooded by Hurricane Francis in 2004, destroying those records, according to the county's elections director.
Ledford, who worked as an ALE agent for five years in the 1990s before resigning to become sheriff, said he was aware Cole had ties to video poker when he accepted the donation.
"I know who he is," Ledford said. "It's a small community. Everybody kind of knows everybody, or at least if you run a business. That's basically the way I know the man."
Ledford said the contribution would in no way affect how he does his job.
"I'll do what I've always done as a law enforcement officer -- I'm going to carry out the duties of my office fairly and impartially," he said.
Ledford replaces Bill Chandler, who retired suddenly last month following reports about ALE's handling of firearms, including two missing assault rifles.
Senate action for Lumbee
U.S. Sens. Richard Burr, a Republican, and Kay Hagan, a Democrat, have introduced the Lumbee Recognition Act to provide full federal recognition to the Lumbee tribe based in Robeson County along Interstate 95.
The Lumbee have for years tried to earn federal recognition through congressional action but have repeatedly fallen short.
Federal recognition would allow the Lumbee access to federal housing and education benefits. Federally recognized tribes also earn the right to build casinos on their tribal land. But the Lumbee have in the past agreed to forgo that right in return for recognition.
Among the bill's opponents has been U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, a Waynesville Democrat who represents the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians in Western North Carolina.
By staff writers Michael Biesecker, Barbara Barrett and Benjamin Niolet
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