As Bruce Lightner works to resolve a debt to Raleigh connected to use of the city’s convention center for a poorly attended 2009 Michael Jackson tribute, he might want to consult the John Locke Foundation’s latest research on the center.

Then he could ask why he didn’t get a special deal up front for use of convention center space.

More than just the average size of the discounts disturbed JLF researchers. “These discounts varied widely from customer to customer,” Sanera explained. “A dozen unlucky organizations received no discount and paid full price. Eighteen of the 40 groups with discounts received deals knocking 60 percent to 100 percent off the convention center’s listed room price.”

“Taxpayers need to be aware that RCC staff have broad discretionary power to award discounts, including the power to grant free use of RCC space,” he added. “That practice is obviously vulnerable to political favoritism and potential corruption.”