I remembered his most famous line when I read two separate items in the same edition of the News & Observer.

On the editorial page, N.C. State Chancellor James Oblinger tells us:

When Larry Nielsen assures me that no board member — or anyone else —
influenced his decision to hire Mary Easley and negotiate a new
contract after the initial contract expired, I know it to be the truth.

Meanwhile, the lead story on page one tells us:

The president of the University of North Carolina system has asked
McQueen Campbell, chairman of the N.C. State University board, to
resign immediately after learning this week that Campbell played a role
in hiring former first lady Mary Easley. 

Hmm. One wonders whether Oblinger might have phrased his letter a little differently if he had written it today.

Stay tuned for more on this developing story.