Officials: No 'Quid Pro Quo' On Prison Contracts

Officials with the McCrory adminstiration say there has been no quid pro quo when it comes to prison maintenance contracts handed out by the state.  A legislative committee has been exploring whether a a McCory friend and political donor improperly influenced the awarding of those contracts.

Secretary of Public Safety Frank Perry told legislators he was uncomfortable when he heard Charlotte developer Graeme Keith Sr. repeatedly say he wanted something in return for his political donations.

According to a prison official's memo, the comments were made at a meeting arranged by Gov. Pat McCrory.

But Perry testified that since the governor never directed him to extend a private prison maintenance contract held by Keith's company, there was no reason to report the statements.

The News and Observer reports state budget director Lee Roberts also appeared before the committee.

Roberts said that he never heard Keith mention his political donations, and that it was cost-effective to extend the existing contracts to Keith.

The FBI has also been questioning state officials.