The John Locke Foundation is a plaintiff in the public records lawsuit filed by several media organizations that produced depositions from Mike Easley’s former press aides. Today, Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson writes about the information revealed by the aides while under oath. (emphasis is mine)
Several aides to former Gov. Mike Easley could be in legal jeopardy based on conflicting statements they gave in sworn depositions.
Former Press Secretary Renee Hoffman recalled separate orders from communications directors Cari Boyce and Sherri Johnson for public information officers to delete e-mails to and from Easley — who used a private e-mail account to conduct public business. Under oath, Boyce and Johnson denied such a blanket order was issued.
Raleigh attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kieran Shanahan says these inconsistencies could pose problems.
While it’s not at all unusual for witnesses at depositions to offer somewhat different accounts, Shanahan said, in this instance, “some appear to be more than minimal. Given that we’re talking about criminal conduct” related to the state and federal investigations of Mike Easley, he said, “if [the Easley staffers] knew what they were doing was illegal, I think it becomes an additional building block” for prosecutors.
Shanahan said that the former officials also could face felony charges of perjury, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice if they lied under oath to conceal a “criminal enterprise.”
The four depositions are posted at the end of Henderson’s story and below as well, so you can read the statements and decide for yourself exactly what was going on in the former governor’s press operation. The depositions are from:
Cari Boyce, former Communications Director for Easley and currently Vice President of Corporate Communications for Progress Energy Service Company.
Sherri Johnson, who followed Boyce as Communications Director to Easley and is currently Manager of Communications and government Relations for the NC Office of State Controller.
Renee Hoffman, former Press Secretary to Governor Mike Easley and current employment unknown.
Seth Effron, former Deputy Press Secretary to Easley and currently Communications Director for the State Energy Office in the NC Department of Commerce.
