RALEIGH—Rep. Thomas Wright (D-New Hanover) was indicted today on five counts of obtaining property by false pretense and one count of obstruction of justice.  The charges stem from unreported campaign donations and two loans.  Wright, a one-time top lieutenant of disgraced former House Speaker Jim Black, was indicted by a Wake County grand jury for obstruction of justice in connection with $185,000 in unreported campaign donations.  The five counts of obtaining property by false pretenses are in connection with improper purchases and loans made by Wright between 2001 and 2004 and uncovered by an SBI investigation this year. 

Chairman Linda Daves, North Carolina Republican Party, made the following statement:

“Although I am relieved to see that we are a step closer to justice in this case, it is also a reminder that a culture of corruption has been allowed to reign for too long in Raleigh.  The Democrat leadership in North Carolina has seen disgrace befall many of its most powerful members.  Thomas Wright is another in a long line to see their misdeeds finally brought out into the light.  Democrats are known for their uncompromising nature, back-room deals, and strong-arm tactics.  When leadership allows that kind of culture to fester, the results are inevitably played out in courtrooms.  This melodrama is below the citizens of North Carolina.  We expect our leaders to uphold the highest ethical standards and we have been disappointed far too often by the Democrats in Raleigh.  If Democrat Speaker Joe Hackney and Majority Leader Hugh Holliman were serious about transparency and reforming the culture of the state legislature, they would have taken stronger action long ago.  As leaders, they are responsible for the failures of their members.  It is time to clean up the mess in our State Capitol.  If Democrats are unwilling to do so, then Republicans will.”

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