Former Gov. Mike Easley is not working at the law firm that last year hired him and two close aides.
A spokesman for the McGuireWoods law firm, which is based in Richmond, Va., said Easley has taken a leave of absence.
William Allcott, a lawyer with the firm, said that Easley, a Democrat who was governor from 2001 to 2009, went to the firm's leaders several weeks ago and requested that he go on leave.
"We were supportive," Allcott said.
State and federal authorities have been probing a range of issues that surround Easley. The State Board of Elections found last year that Easley's campaign broke elections laws, and referred other matters to criminal prosecutors.
Easley has since hired a prominent criminal defense lawyer, Joseph Cheshire of Raleigh. Several people close to Easley have made appearances before a federal grand jury.
Cheshire's firm said it had no comment on Easley's leave.
Allcott would not provide any information about what led to the request.
There is no timetable for Easley's return to McGuireWoods, Allcott said.
The law firm, which also has a lobbying arm, has removed a Web page that had contact information for Easley.
When Easley joined the firm in April 2009, he brought along his senior assistant for governmental affairs, Franklin Freeman, and executive counsel, Ruffin Poole.
Poole recently pleaded guilty to a tax evasion charge as part of the federal probe that involved Easley. Poole is required to cooperate with prosecutors as part of his plea deal.
ABC changes advance
Legislation that would impose sweeping reforms on the state's Alcohol Beverage Control system passed a key procedural hurdle Tuesday.
A state House committee overseeing the ABC system voted unanimously to move the bill, which now heads to the committee overseeing state government operations.
The House makes several changes to similar legislation moving though the Senate.
As amended, the House bill directs the state ABC Commission to set performance standards and training requirements for local ABC boards and their stores.
The bill also places stricter financial oversight over ABC boards, and it imposes new ethical regulations regarding nepotism and the acceptance of gifts by board members and employees.
Efforts to reform the state's ABC system began last year after news reports exposed that a liquor company representative had treated the Mecklenburg County ABC board chairman and employees to an extravagant dinner and disclosed that more than $400,000 in combined annual compensation was being paid to a father and son administering liquor stores in New Hanover County.
Harmless powder
The powder sent in a letter to the governor's office has tested negative for hazardous materials, according to the N.C. Division of Public Health.
The powder was discovered in a letter sent to the State Capitol on Monday. The letter was opened in an office near Gov. Bev Perdue's office.
Law enforcement officials closed the building.
The substance was negative in tests for anthrax, ricin and other bacteria, toxins and viruses, a news release said. The State Capitol Police are investigating.
The State Capitol remained closed to the public Tuesday but will reopen today.
"We did the expeditious thing," Perdue said of the decision to evacuate the Capitol.
Wife saw them first
When he's not running for state Senate or filing ethics complaints against state officials, former House Speaker Richard Morgan apparently is hitting the nightlife circuit.
Triangle.com, which is owned by The News & Observer, offers a regular feature of nightlife photos.
The images, which are produced by lazyday .com , feature young partiers showing off clubwear.
Well, right there in a June 3 gallery is Morgan, with his arm around two young women, one wearing what can be accurately described as a revealing outfit.
As he explains, the club, Still Life, is located in the same building that houses his insurance brokerage and consulting office. The club's owners invited him to a preview event, Morgan told Dome. He was introduced to the two women, and someone called for a picture.
"They wanted to have a picture, and I guess the pictures are in the public domain," he said. "My life is an open book anyway."
The photos, first posted on Triangle .com and then re-posted on a Civitas blog, set off a minor flutter among political types Tuesday.
Morgan, who lost his Republican state Senate primary, says there's nothing to worry about. His wife was the first to see them.
By staff writers J. Andrew Curliss, Michael Biesecker and Benjamin Niolet.
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