Jim Cooney, a lawyer for the N.C. Democratic Party, spars with board member Charles Winfree after Winfree questioned Scott Falmlen, who was the state Democratic Party executive director from 1999-2005, on whether there was a separate account for funneling money to former Gov. Mike Easley. Board members have made reference to a special "Governor’s Fund" within the party. Falmlen said the term was a code applied to contributions so the party would know how much money Easley’s campaign had raised for the party. "It was not a bank account. It was a source code," Falmlen said. Falmlen was testifying during the State Board of Elections hearing on Thursday, October 29, 2009. The board is gathering information on possible campaign violations by Easley and the state Democratic Party. SHAWN ROCCO shawn.rocco@newsobserver.com SHAWN ROCCO — Staff photo by Shawn Rocco