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Ex-North Carolina Lawmaker Indicted In Campaign Finance Probe
A former North Carolina state lawmaker and his ex-campaign treasurer have been indicted on charges related to a state investigation of his campaign finance reports.
The Mecklenburg County district attorney's office says a grand jury on Monday indicted ex-Rep. Rodney Moore on nine felony counts of filing false campaign statements, while Tammy Neal was indicted on one felony count of obstruction of justice.
State Board of Elections investigators disclosed evidence in October they said showed Moore's committee failed to report over $140,000 in campaign contributions and expenditures over several years. They also said it appeared the campaign provided altered bank records when the board requested them.
Legislators Advance Tougher Penalties For Pharmacy Break-Ins
Some North Carolina lawmakers want more severe punishments for breaking into a building to steal drugs from a pharmacy.
The state Senate voted Monday evening to create a new crime of breaking or entering into a pharmacy with the intent to steal controlled substances. Supporters say it's needed to deter opioid abuse by taking on criminal operations that steal pain medications.
East Carolina University Chancellor Announces Resignation
The chancellor of East Carolina University has announced plans to resign after about three years on the job.
The University of North Carolina system issued a news release Monday saying that Chancellor Cecil P. Staton will step down effective May 3. Staton will remain in an advisory capacity until the end of June.
Staton was hired at ECU in April of 2016 after serving as a faculty member and administrator for universities in Georgia.
His tenure at ECU was not without controversy. The News & Observer reports that Staton was criticized for the ECU Foundation's purchase of a $1.3 million chancellor's house, as well as for instituting a new branding campaign.
Virus Shuts Down North Carolina County's Computer Network
Authorities in a North Carolina county say a ransomware virus has shut down its entire computer network.
The News & Observer reports officials in Orange County say the virus caused slowdowns and service problems at key public offices. The source of the attack is still unknown, but it was discovered around 6 a.m. Monday, leading to the entire computer network being shut down out of precaution.
The county's register of deeds office could not process real estate closings or issue marriage licenses, the county's housing department couldn't process any vouchers and the Tax Office was unable to verify tax bills. it's unclear when service might be restored.
ACC Teams Finish 1-2-3 In Final Men's Basketball Poll
Three of the four top seeds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament belong to Atlantic Coast Conference teams, capping a season that made history in the college polls.
It's believed to be the first time that teams from the same conference ended up in the top three spots of the final Associated Press poll. Duke took first place after its freshman star Zion WIlliamson led the team to the ACC Tournament Championship.
WIlliamson returned to the lineup for the ACC Tournament after a knee sprain sidelined him for almost six games. North Carolina beat the Blue Devils twice during his absence.
Virginia finished second in the poll, and the Tar Heels finished third. Both of them earned number one seeds in the NCAA tournament.
The final top spot went to Gonzaga.
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