Asks governor to look into Easley’s appointments to Commission
The state’s oldest private wildlife conservation organization has called on Gov. Beverly Perdue to investigate charges that appointments to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission during the Mike Easley administration were made in return for political donations totaling more than $100,000.
“If these allegations prove true,” said Tim Gestwicki, executive director of the NCWF, “we call upon Gov. Perdue to immediately demand the resignations of any individuals who were appointed under such inappropriate circumstances.
“She should then appoint duly-qualified, representative citizens to serve out any replaced terms. That’s a fair, straightforward process to restoring credibility to the current appointment process and structure of the state agency responsible for the wildlife resources that belong to all North Carolinians.”
The Board of Directors of the N.C. Wildlife Federation, which was created in 1945 and, in turn, supported creation of the Commission in 1947, passed an emergency resolution on Nov. 2, asking for the investigation.
The request is a result of sworn testimony during Easley’s recent hearings before the N.C. State Board of Elections, a probe looking into the former governor’s campaign finances and possible illegal use of funds during the 2004 gubernatorial election.
Lanny Wilson, a Wilmington-area developer, said that Gary Allen, a Charlotte-area developer, wanted to be reappointed to the Commission and receive help from Easley in obtaining state permission to build a Brunswick County boat ramp.
Wilson testified that Allen wrote a $50,000 check to the Democratic Party of North Carolina, with the intent it would be delivered only to Easley’s campaign. Such earmarked campaign donations to political parties are illegal, as are individual donations larger than $4,000.
Allen was appointed to the Commission in 2004. The next year, Easley appointed Allen’s brother and business partner, Randy Allen, to the Commission — where he still serves.
Easley later received a $137,000 discount on a lot in the Allens’ Carteret County development, Cannonsgate.
Be the first to comment