Yesterday afternoon the House Select Committee to Investigate Alleged Misconduct and Other matters Included in the Indictments Against Representative Thomas E. Wright (yes, that is the name of the committee) held it?s first meeting to adopt rules and begin the process of investigating the widely reported misdeeds of Rep. Thomas Wright (D-New Hanover). In addition to several columns by Hood here and here, see also numerous posts by Chad Adams on the Squall Lines as this mess has unfolded.
This is a different committee from the Standing Legislative Ethics Committee and was formed to address the Wright situation.
Rep. Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland) is the chair; Rep. Skip Stam (R-Wake) is the co-chair. Representatives Laura Wiley (R-Guilford), Bill McGhee (R-Forsyth), Marvin Lucas (D-Cumberland) and Edith Warren (D-Pitt) make up the six-member committee.
This is more like a regular House committee so many of the confidentiality rules and closed door provisions that apply to the standing Ethics Commission do not apply to this committee. All the proceedings should be open unless there are witnesses or personnel documents that require more confidentiality. Rep. Glazier said he anticipated everything being open unless there were extenuating circumstances. He also said the Speaker has asked that the matter be expedited. When asked by a reporter if the matter were being pushed through at lightning speed, Rep. Stam said from someone who tries cases for a living, ?Not at all.?
The committee is investigating the six felony charges that Rep Wright was recently indicted on in State Court. They will hold a preliminary investigation hearing on Jan 3 at 10:00 am to determine probable cause. If they determine by majority vote that there is probable cause of wrongdoing, Rep. Wright will be notified of the charges and a hearing on those charges will be scheduled in thirty days or more.
At the hearing, witnesses will be heard on both sides, documents exchanged, much like a civil court proceeding. After the hearing, the Committee will decide if by clear and convincing evidence (the highest standard in a civil suit) one or more of the six charges against Rep. Wright is true.
They are investigating the six felony charges Wright has been indicted on. Since much of the investigation has already taken place by the Attorney General and the Wake County Grand Jury, the thirty-day period to gather evidence and subpoena witnesses and documents is considered reasonable. At this point, all the committee has are the pieces of paper with the indictments. They will hear from witnesses to determine whether they believe the charges are true.
If the Committee believes the charges are true, they will report this to the House of Representatives for appropriate action (admonishment, censure and/or expulsion). If they discover substantial evidence of an additional criminal violation (besides the six Wright?s already charged with), they will report this to the Attorney General. Of course if they find that Wright has done nothing wrong and exonerate him of the charges, they will let the House and Rep. Wright know.
With the preliminary hearing on Jan 3 and a thirty day notice requirement for the next phase, nothing in the House of Representative action against Rep Wright will be determined before early Feb.
Also of note: Both Rep. Glazier and Rep. Stam expressed sadness and discomfort with the Committee?s mission but also recognized that it had to be done.
