Extent of permit influence disputed in bribe case

Bill Ross, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, says a former official who admitted to soliciting a bribe didn't have any influence over permits.

Ross released a statement Thursday about Boyce Allen Hudson, 67, a former employee who admitted in federal court to extortion and money- laundering charges.

"I am saddened by the unlawful actions by one of our former employees," Ross said. "Hudson's actions violated the honor code and values that we expect to guide the actions of every employee as they serve the citizens of North Carolina.

"However, I am confident that permitting processes within DENR have been and will continue to be carried out with the utmost professionalism, attention to the letter of the law, and with care for the health, well-being and benefit of all."

Hudson admitted in federal court Tuesday that in 2004 he offered to guarantee a permit for Agri-Ethanol Products of Raleigh in exchange for $100,000 in cash and a consulting contract worth $108,000.

Ross said in his statement that Hudson didn't have the authority or influence to affect permitting. His job didn't involve lobbying, as federal prosecutors have said.

Prosecutors made much of the fact that Agri-Ethanol got a clean air permit within a month. Ross said in his statement that the Division of Air Quality is required by state rules to issue the type of air permit relevant to this case within 90 days.

The average turnaround time has been 35 days, Ross said.

Ad takes aim at Dole

The Club for Growth is targeting U.S. Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

The free-market group is spending $250,000 on radio and television spots against Dole and five other senators over a bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Congress is at it again. This time, they're pushing massive new taxes and regulations in the name of global warming," says the narrator of the ad.

The ad cites a study by the National Association of Manufacturers that found that North Carolina could lose 146,000 jobs a year and see a 135 percent increase in electricity prices

Dole is running for re-election this year. She is a co-sponsor of the measure sponsored by Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and John Warner of Virginia.

"Call Senator Elizabeth Dole today," the ad says. "Tell her to vote no on the Lieberman-Warner climate bill. North Carolinians just can't afford another huge costly government program."

Congressional sharpshooter

U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes has won a congressional shootout.

The Concord Republican was one of a group of Republican and Democratic members of Congress who competed in an annual shooting contest May 13 sponsored by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.

According to a news release from the group, Hayes triumphed as the 2008 individual Congressional Top Gun, while Republicans overall emerged as winners.

Individual contests also were held in shooting skeet, trap and clay.

The shootout was presented by ATK , an ammunitions company, and the National Rifle Association and hosted by Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's and Wal-Mart.

Huckabee does an encore

Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was such a crowd pleaser when he spoke to the state GOP convention in New Bern two years ago that he has been invited back for an encore performance.

Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, is scheduled to speak at the Republican Convention during a luncheon June 7 at the Koury Center in Greensboro.

The last time Huckabee addressed the state GOP, he was almost an unknown.

But since then, Huckabee ran a surprisingly strong -- and underfinanced campaign for president -- before eventually withdrawing in favor of Arizona Sen. John McCain this year.