Jarvis Edgerton: Rudo’s word

Regarding the Aug. 10 letter “Exaggerated statements” from Thomas Stith, the governor’s chief of staff: I am disgusted with the McCrory administration for its unethical attacks on the character of state toxicologist Ken Rudo. The implication that Rudo was part of a “radical interest group” campaign against McCrory is absurd when you consider Rudo is a Republican who voted for McCrory.

Further, Rudo made his statements in a deposition, not a news release. It is the governor’s office that is engaging in a political smear campaign, and it needs to stop. The only way to resolve this mess is to have an independent investigation, although that will be tough to make happen since the GOP assembly put the SBI under McCrory’s control.

However it happens, those in the executive branch who dispute Rudo’s deposition statements need to be afforded the opportunity to make their own deposition statements under oath. Until then, I’ll take the word of the Republican McCrory supporter who testified under oath.

This story was originally published August 13, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Jarvis Edgerton: Rudo’s word."