N.C. panel penalizes former governor for unreported flights, seeks inquiry

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina elections officials have penalized former Gov. Mike Easley’s campaign $100,000 for unreported airplane flights and asked prosecutors to investigate whether laws were broken.

The State Board of Elections decision Friday came after hearings into the conduct of the two-term Democrat and the state Democratic Party.

The party was ordered to forfeit $9,000 solicited by the Easley campaign.

The Easley campaign was told to give up $60,000 for flights costs and to reimburse the elections board $40,000 for its investigation.

A political ally of Easley testified this week he flew the governor dozens of times for campaign-related events.

Easley denied allegations he told the ally to file flight invoices to get money for home repairs.