RALEIGH -- Nearly two dozen state lawmakers are urging Attorney General Roy Cooper to investigate whether a North Carolina company provided planes to the CIA to shuttle terrorism suspects to countries where they may have been tortured.

The 22 lawmakers, all Democrats, who signed a letter sent to Cooper and the State Bureau of Investigation urge an investigation into "credible allegations that Aero Contractors conspired to commit federal crimes," according to a copy of the letter provided by advocacy group Stop Torture Now.

In October, SBI Director Robin Pendergraft declined a request from 12 lawmakers to investigate whether Aero Contractors violated federal laws prohibiting torture as a form of interrogation, saying the matter didn't fall under SBI jurisdiction.

"In short, we are deeply concerned by the SBI's unwillingness to investigate a North Carolina company's alleged involvement in a conspiracy to support the kidnap and torture of individuals," the lawmakers wrote. "We hope you will direct the SBI to begin an investigation of Aero Contractors' actions."

A spokeswoman for Cooper did not immediately return a call today seeking comment.

Aero Contractors' ties to the CIA were reported in 2005 by the CBS' "60 Minutes" and The New York Times. Company officials have said they do work for the government, but have declined to discuss any details.

The company, which provides planes and pilots for charter flights, has leased about eight acres from the Johnston County Airport since 1979.

Fourteen protesters affiliated with Stop Torture Now were arrested there in November 2005, and were later convicted of trespassing.

The U.S. government has said little about the practice of "extraordinary rendition" -- believed to be a secret CIA program of apprehending foreign terror suspects and sending them to third countries, including those that practice torture, for interrogation without court approval.