The indictment of Ruffin Poole portrays a close relationship between Poole and a former North Carolina governor without once mentioning the name "Mike Easley."
Referring to Easley as the governor throughout, the 64-page document asserts that Poole was Easley's main contact with important state agencies regulating transportation, the environment, banking and utilities.
Poole was the man political supporters had to go through when requesting assistance from the governor, according to the indictment. Located at this critical intersection of politics and policy, Poole became known as the "little governor" among Easley's political supporters.
The governor instructed one of these supporters, Wilmington developer Lanny Wilson, that "if you need something, talk to Ruffin," the indictment says.
The first words of the indictment read almost like a movie blurb: "Charles Ruffin Poole's rapid rise from recent law graduate to the 'go to guy' in the Governor's Office."
What it doesn't say
The indictment does not accuse the former governor of crimes. It does not say that Easley knew about any of the crimes with which Poole is charged.
"It could be that Easley didn't know anything, that Poole improperly used influence that the governor didn't know about," said Richard Myers, a former federal prosecutor and UNC law professor.
That lack of knowledge is unlikely, according to Joe Sinsheimer, a Democratic consultant who has closely followed the developments. Easley either knew about the behavior or gave Poole an "extremely long leash to trample over state government," Sinsheimer said.
"We do know that Easley was at least involved in this same type of behavior - accepting freebies or goodies - and that it was involving these exact same people."
Easley stands by Poole
Easley's lawyer, Joseph Cheshire V of Raleigh, said: "While Governor Easley has no knowledge of the conduct that makes up the criminal allegations therein, he has faith in Ruffin Poole and finds it hard to believe that he would ever intentionally violate the law."
Federal investigators have been looking into several issues involving Easley, including his family's use of vehicles they did not own, his free air travel, $50,000 in free golf dues and a $137,000 discount on a coastal lot from developers who won permits from his administration.
The federal prosecutors assert that the governor and Poole remained close through the Easley administration, going on a fishing trip during their last month in office and then working together at the McGuireWoods law firm.
Easley himself spoke highly of Poole. In March 2008, Easley endorsed his aide's efforts to attend a leadership seminar, writing of working closely with Poole.
"His personal and professional commitment to public service is extraordinary and supersedes any desire for personal wealth or gain," Easley wrote.
