Fred Hobbs of Pinehurst, a former state senator and co-owner of a civil engineering firm that boasts of its connections to high-level state officials, today paid the largest civil fine ever levied by the State Board of Elections – $150,000. After being exposed, Hobbs readily admitted he used a money laundering scheme to funnel $148,000 into the campaigns of several powerful politicians over the past decade, including Governors Bev Perdue and Mike Easley and, the top recipient, state Sen. Marc Basnight. Hobbs essentially washed dirty money from his company (which can’t legally make direct donations to candidates) by converting the funds into contributions from various employees. A few months ago, Rusty Carter of Wilmington admitted he did the same thing; he paid a $100,000 fine to the State Board. The Hobbs case is now before the District Attorney in Moore County because, at a minimum, his violations during the 2008 election cycle are still subject to Class 2 Misdemeanor charges; the DA may also be exploring if Hobbs’ contributions somehow purchased special treatment from government regulators for his engineering projects.
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Perhaps Mr. Hobbs would be so kind as to lend Mike Easley the money he needs to satisfy his moral obligation to the people of North Carolina? I fail to see why one paid so much and the other so little.