Meet Diane Bumgardner, the secretary who deleted Mike Easley’s travel records when told to do so by Highway Patrol Capt. Alan Melvin.
One big difference is that Bumgardner’s account of how important info went missing is more believable than that offered up by Nixon’s long-time secretary.
In fact, it is Melvin who has gaping holes in his story. To have no recall of what you did with data you expressly told a secretary to give you and then destroy — no. Ditto Melvin’s bosses at the Highway Patrol, who at this point are flirting with an FBI root-canal of their entire operation unless they come clean.
No longer is it possible to assert that there is “no evidence” that Easley’s travel records as governor were destroyed, altered, or otherwise hidden. There is a cover-up in place, no doubt about it. Top Highway Patrol and civilian leaders must take responsibility for getting to the truth — no matter where it leads.
