Daily News

RALEIGH

State Rep. Thomas Wright asked a judge yesterday to stop a legislative ethics committee from meeting next week to discuss his future in the House, saying that its work could ruin his chances for a fair criminal trial.

Wright said that media coverage of Monday’s meeting could taint the jury pool in his trial on fraud and obstruction of justice charges, according to his complaint filed in Wake Superior Court. He asked for a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction to postpone the panel from meeting until after his trial.

The panel of his fellow House members could recommend to the full House that Wright be censured or expelled from office if it finds clear and convincing evidence that he participated in conduct unbecoming a legislator. A North Carolina legislator hasn’t been expelled since 1880.

The panel is considering eight counts of ethical misconduct against Wright that are almost identical to his criminal charges. Both accuse him of misusing or failing to report more than $350,000 in campaign donations, loans and charitable money.

The hearing, in which Wright can call witnesses, would force him to reveal his strategy to challenge the allegations, giving prosecutors in his trial an advantage, the complaint said. (more…)