A lawyer for Ruffin Poole is challenging an aspect of the allegations against Poole - that the longtime aide to former Gov. Mike Easley carefully concealed his financial dealings with a coastal developer by routing the payments through a family business.
In a new court filing, Poole lawyer Joseph Zeszotarski notes that prosecutors allege Poole "carefully concealed his receipt of ... income by having it funneled through a family corporation."
In the filing, Zeszotarski wrote that Poole "had no knowledge, prior to indictment, of anyone contending that he conducted his financial affairs in this manner. Not surprisingly, [Poole] disputes this characterization of the events."
Poole has not entered a plea but hasindicated in court filings that he will fight at least some of the charges against him.
Zeszotarski does not dispute that money went to Poole from a Wilmington financier, Lanny Wilson, after passing through a Poole family company. And Zeszotarski does not say in the filing what part of the government's characterization he specifically disputes.
The financial transactions are at the heart of the case against Poole, a lawyer who was a key figure in the Easley administration on permitting, appointments and political matters.
Poole, for example, did not disclose on required ethics forms that he received money from Wilson, who was a DOT board member and major political fundraiser. Poole did disclose receiving income from his family business.
The trial is set to begin in late April, but Poole wants more time to prepare.
The indictment against Poole on 51corruption charges arose out of a long-running probe that surrounds Easley, a Democrat who left office last year after serving two terms.
The government said it wants to wrap up the Poole case and its "broader investigation" soon.
Poole's team said the government has not said why it wants a trial in April or May.
"The Government's silence is telling - is there a reason for the Government's request for a quick trial date other than an unfair tactical advantage?" Zeszotarski wrote.
Poole wants an August trial, arguing that will give him time to rebut the government's case.
AFL-CIO won't take sides
The state AFL-CIO has decided to stay neutral in the Democratic Senate primary.
James Andrews, the state AFL-CIO president, said neither former state Sen. Cal Cunningham nor Secretary of State Elaine Marshall could muster the necessary two-thirds support from labor's political committee. A third candidate, Chapel Hill lawyer Ken Lewis, chose not to participate in the interview process, Andrews said.
"There was no endorsement, which frees all the affiliates to work for the candidate of their choice," Andrews said.
The no endorsement was a setback for Cunningham, who is in the process of picking up the backing of the N.C. Association of Educators. The NCAE and AFL-CIO frequently endorse the same candidate. In 2008, labor sat out the Democratic primary for governor when neither then-Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue nor then-state Treasurer Richard Moore could get two-thirds support.
The AFL-CIO will revisit the Senate race after the Democratic primary,Andrews said.
From author to inmate? Andrew Young and his wife, Cheri Young, came precariously close to going to jail this week after a judge became convinced that they hadn't told the whole truth about the John Edwards sex tape. The Youngs aren't out of trouble yet. Another hearing on the issue is scheduled for today.
It's your fault: Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor told an audience at ElonUniversity's law school that she thinks it's a shame that North Carolina still elects its judges. She said other states have found that you get better judges if voters aren't doing the hiring.
Thanks, Internet: Gov. Bev Perdue's Facebook page was attacked by animal rights activists who posted hundreds of messages urging Perdue to stop animal abuse at a Robeson County shelter. Perdue explained that she has no authority over animal shelters, but that didn't stop some protesters from comparing the shelter to the Holocaust.
In other news: College students protesting tuition increases were kicked out of a legislative meeting. N.C. State University has dedicated a courtyard to former Govs. Kerr Scott and Bob Scott. The state lottery replaced its usual slate of advertising this week with an ad promoting awareness of problem gambling.
By staff writers J. Andrew Curliss and Rob Christensen
