Gary Allen (center), a Charlotte developer and fundraiser, is in the hearing room with his attorney Steve Smith, left. The Board of Elections isn't sharing its witness list or who is likely to be called on which day, but Allen's prescence is a good sign that he'll be up.

Allen gave the N.C. Democratic Party a $50,000 contribution and developer Lanny Wilson testified that such contributions were understood to be headed to Gov. Mike Easley. Wilson gave Easley a briefing memo that included lots of things that Allen might want, such as a dock permit or to keep his seat on the Wildlife Commission.

Staff photo by Chris Seward.