Ex-lobbyist faces gun charge
Thursday, August 30th, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
Don Beason accused in motorists’ dispute
Ryan Teague Beckwith, Staff Writer The former lobbyist who loaned former House Speaker Jim Black $500,000 is facing a misdemeanor charge related to a confrontation with another motorist in July.
Don Beason, 68, was charged with assault by pointing a gun in an incident last month about a mile and a half from his Raleigh home.
Beason, who quit his lucrative lobbying practice this month, is under investigation by Wake County prosecutors for the loan, which Black revealed at his sentencing in late July.
The incident involving the gun happened July 6. Prosecutors say they do not think it was connected to Beason’s political activities.
The confrontation happened in the parking lot of a gas station off Oberlin Road near Cameron Village shortly before 1 p.m. July 6. Jason Batten of Raleigh had pulled into the store to get some Excedrin for his fiancee, Chrisy Tellis, according to their lawyer.
Beason, who was in a Toyota pickup at a stoplight, began honking at the couple, attorney Steve Glass said. When they walked to his truck to talk with him, Beason pulled a silver revolver from the truck’s console, Glass said.
"The gun was still in its holster, but he was waving it at them," Glass said.
The stoplight then changed, and Beason drove off. The couple called 911 with the truck’s license plate number and surreptitiously followed him for five to seven minutes until police arrived, Glass said. Beason was pulled over on Capital Boulevard, north of downtown Raleigh.
Beason could face as many as 60 days in jail or as little as probation or a fine because he has no prior criminal record. His case will be handled by a District Court judge. If found guilty, he could appeal for a jury trial in Superior Court. (more…)
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