By Catherine Welch and Megan V. Williams
Wilmington, NC – State representative Thomas Wright has been indicted on five counts of obtaining property by false pretences and one count of obstruction of justice.
The State Board of Elections held a hearing last May probing into the once powerful Democrat's campaign and personal finances. Wake County District Attorney Colin Willoughby says Wright's indictment is based on information from the State Board of Elections hearing, and more.
"There's some things here that perhaps had not surfaced during the State Board's public hearing."
Willoughby says Wright will be served with charges and a court date will be set in the next couple of days.
The man who first pursued accusations against Wright, political consultant Joe Sinsheimer, says he now wants House Speaker Joe Hackney to call a special session and begin expulsion hearings.
"It's an embarrassment that Representative Wright has continued to serve for the last year, and it's time that the House Democrats gathered the political courage to take care of the problem."
Hackney says in a released statement that allegations against Wright in no way reflect work done by the House this past session.
Wright did not return calls to his offices in Wilmington and Raleigh Monday. He has previously maintained his innocence, admitting only to sloppy bookkeeping.
New Hanover County Democratic organizer Bo Dean said this afternoon it was too soon to discuss who the party might nominate to replace Wright.
"You don't talk about your family's jewels at a funeral... I think right now we need to get through the process of what's going on here and look towards bringing back the public trust for this particular position."