[jern]

Tuesday, July 8, 2003 6:17PM EDT

Phipps charged with perjury, obstruction


By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Meg Scott Phipps, who resigned as agriculture commissioner last month amid allegations that her campaign accepted illegal contributions from carnival companies, was charged today with perjury, obstruction of justice and other crimes.
A Wake County grand jury indicted Phipps on five criminal counts that also included conspiracy to obstruct justice, District Attorney Colon Willoughby Jr. said.
Phipps resigned June 6, the same day a federal grand jury indicted Mike Blanton, the third of her top aides to face charges related to an alleged campaign finance scandal.

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[Swanks]

What a crook. Actually set up a "Republicans for Phipps" shell organization. Was nothing but paid Dem staffers. Thought she would just buy herself the Ag position, since it amounted to a lifetime appointment.

Bring back James Graham - "The Sod-Father". A legend in NC. The only Democrat who's hand I would (and did) shake at the NC State Fair. (Even looks like Jesse...)

[Incorrigible]

So when is Frank Ballance goint to be indicted?

[defeat_the_dem_igods]

She's just another bad apple, fallen from the Hunt/Easley tree.

[Bullish]

You mean to tell us that a democrat was found in violation of election law?

You're kidding?

But they always tell us they're so ethical and always looking out for the little guys. There must be some kind of mistake. ;^)

[Malesherbes]

I hate to call attention to a person's appearance, but she looks like a ham sandwich. Once again a ham sandwich has been indicted.

[Phantom Lord]

I can't wait to see the N&O spin on this one. And Jerry Agar on 680 WPTF is going to be a lot of fun to listen to tomorrow.

[mykdsmom]

NC Bout Time Ping!!!

[randog]

Here's more info for us non-North Carolinans. Sounds like the whole department was corrupt:

RALEIGH, 7:03 p.m. EDT July 8, 2003 - Meg Scott Phipps, who resigned as agriculture commissioner amid allegations that her campaign took illegal contributions from carnival companies, was charged Tuesday with perjury and obstruction of justice.

A Wake County grand jury indicted Phipps on five criminal counts that also included conspiracy to obstruct justice, District Attorney Colon Willoughby Jr. said.

Phipps resigned June 6, the same day a federal grand jury indicted Mike Blanton, the third of her top aides to face charges related to the alleged campaign finance scandal.

A telephone message left after business hours with Phipps' lawyer, Wade Smith, was not immediately returned. A woman who answered the phone at the home of Phipps' father, former Gov. Bob Scott[question: did the apple fall far from the tree?], said Scott wasn't there and would not return a message.

Messages left at Gov. Mike Easley's office and the home of interim Agriculture Commission Britt Cobb also were not immediately returned.

Federal prosecutors allege that Blanton, Phipps' top aide, lied to FBI agents and a grand jury about his knowledge of Phipps' campaign finances, and also coached a witness to lie. The indictments also suggested that Blanton was motivated to hide the truth because he was having an affair with an unidentified Agriculture Department official.

A grand jury said Blanton knew of a web of transactions between Phipps' campaign, Rocky Mount businessman Norman Chambliss, former agriculture commissioner candidate and agriculture department aide Bobby McLamb, and several amusement companies.

The transactions were designed to allow Phipps to secretly pay off a $75,000 bank loan and other campaign debts for McLamb in return for his political support and access to his ties in the fair industry, the indictment said.

Blanton, Phipps and former Phipps campaign treasurer Linda Saunders also allegedly met at a Raleigh town house in April 2002 to devise a cover story for the contributions.

McLamb and Saunders have both pleaded guilty to federal charges including extortion. They are cooperating in the investigation and have not yet been sentenced. Last week, Cobb voided the contract Phipps signed with Amusements of America, one of the companies named, but not charged, in Blanton's indictment. State attorneys recommended the action to "remove any doubt about the midway contract being procured by favoritism," according to an advisory letter to Cobb.

[Constitution Day]

Related WRAL links:

• June 6, 2003: Phipps Steps Down From Post; Easley Names Interim Commissioner
• June 6, 2003: State Ag Commissioner Phipps Submits Letter Of Resignation
• June 6, 2003: Former Gov. Bob Scott Called To Testify For Grand Jury
• June 5, 2003: Former Commissioner's Daughter Plans To Run For Agriculture Post
• May 21, 2003: State Audit Criticizes Agriculture Department
• May 21, 2003: Phipps Remains Adamant, Says She Won't Leave Office
• May 19, 2003: Phipps' Controversy Rekindles Debate About Politics, Money
• May 15, 2003: State Senator, Ag Commissioner's Father Has Harsh Words For Gov. Easley
• May 15, 2003: N.C. Lawmakers Continue To Speak Out About State Ag Commissioner's Controversy
• May 14, 2003: N.C. Farmers Believe Phipps' Controversy May Have Negative Impact On Business
• May 14, 2003: Easley Asks State Ag Commissioner To Step Down
• May 13, 2003: Gov. Mike Easley's Letter Calling For Phipps' Resignation
• May 12, 2003: Former Phipps' Aide Enters Plea Agreement; Others May Be On Hot Seat
• May 7, 2003: More Aides Called To Testify In Federal Case Against State Ag Commissioner
• March 31, 2003: Former Phipps' Aide Pleads Guilty To Fraud Conspiracy, Extortion
• March 16, 2003: Attorney Says Phipps Will Not Resign
• March 13, 2003: Two Former Aides Of State Ag Commissioner Appear In Court
• March 13, 2003: Questions Linger Around State Ag Commissioner's Election Campaign
• March 11, 2003: Two Of Phipps' Former Aides Indicted By Federal Grand Jury