By Associated Press
Raleigh, NC – House lawmakers have cast an historic vote to expel state Representative Thomas Wright.
The House voted 109 to 5 to remove the Democrat from office. It's the first expulsion of a lawmaker from the General Assembly in 128 years.
Members of the legislative black caucus tried to get Wright censured instead of expelled.
Wright attorney Irving Joyner says Wright expects to be voted back into his seat.
And the record would support that there a lot of people who will recognize this effort for what it is and will vote to put him back in office.
Wright's expulsion centers on allegations that he mishandled nearly $340,000 in loans, campaign and charitable contributions. Wright faces a criminal trial later this month on similar charges.