Former Gov. Mike Easley is not working at the law firm that last year hired him and two close aides.
At least, for now.
A spokesman for the McGuireWoods law firm, which is based in Richmond, Va., and has an office in Raleigh, said in an interview that Easley has taken a leave of absence.
William Allcott, a lawyer with the firm, said that Easley, a Democrat who was governor from 2001 to 2009, went to the firm's leaders several weeks ago and requested that he go on leave.
"We were supportive," Allcott said.
State and federal authorities have been probing a range of issues that surround Easley. The state Board of Elections found last year that Easley's campaign broke elections laws, and referred other matters to criminal prosecutors. Easley has since hired a prominent criminal defense lawyer, Joseph Cheshire of Raleigh. Several people close to Easley have made appearances before a federal grand jury. (This portion of the post has been updated since the original to reflect findings against the Easley campaign, not Easley personally.)
Cheshire's firm said it had no comment on Easley's leave.
There is no timetable for Easley's return to McGuireWoods, Allcott said.
Allcott would not provide any information about what led to the leave request.
The law firm, which also has a lobbying arm, has completely removed a Web page that had contact information for Easley.
"While he's on leave, there's just not a reason for clients to be in contact," he said.
When Easley joined the firm in April 2009, he brought along his senior assistant for governmental affairs, Franklin Freeman, and executive counsel, Ruffin Poole.
Poole recently pleaded guilty to a tax evasion charge as part of the federal probe that involved Easley. Poole is required to cooperate with prosecutors as part of his plea deal.
J. Andrew Curliss covered state and local politics and government for The News & Observer for more than a decade before joining the investigative team in December 2008.
Contact him at
Comments
fiwedding
Wed, 07/21/2010 - 04:22 — fiweddingI'm about to think most "law-yers" are sleezebags......it's that "if you can't beat em, join em" thing, I guess...money's just too darn good apparently, whether it's "good money" or "bad money."
Hey Purdue, you paying attention, honey?
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 21:44 — TheLibertineI hope Beverly realizes that her future is playing out in Easley's current reality. And methinks somehow she's even more rotten.
On the way to becoming #1
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 21:03 — Notsurewhere_NCThe banana republic of NC is currently ranked #5 most corrupt state in the union. At the conclusion of the Easley mess, we will be well on the way to becoming a lock on the coveted #1 position. Everyone else bagged after Easley will be icing on the cake. Where's Guv Sunshine Transparency been lately??
McGuire Woods
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 20:32 — BitterEXdemocratThat law firm is nothing but trash after hiring this bunch...WHO would WANT to have them represent them after displaying SUCH stupidity?
Political contributions are great investments!
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 17:01 — heyeverybody123There's bound to be more questions raised about the New Bern waterfront deal if he is charged with anything and that might bring Bev into the arena. The Hotel and Marina are actualy owned by the same folks that plan(ned) to build the Skyscraper out at Crabtree. For more: http://www.newbernsj.com/news/easement-41826-state-hotel.html#slComments
Justice?
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 14:12 — JohnlawretCould it be that Lady Justice is indeed blind and applicable to the high and mighty as well as the common citizen? We're still waiting to see. Just how much corruption can be swept under the carpets in Raleigh before the hump becomes to noticeable to ignore.
swept under the carpet
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 16:12 — taxpayer2009The US att'y swept 50 of Ruffin's charges under the carpet...made a big hump too.
Those 50 charges only stay swept
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 17:59 — Puddentainif ruffin serves up a big fish a-floppin'
Lie To Me .....
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 14:09 — AgentPierceAnyone who watches the TV show Lie To Me has to imagine Dr Lightner evaluating Easley. Ten seconds and a dozen of those "shifty eyes" glances would be all it takes.
McGuireWoods "granted Easley a leave of absence" just like Hearst Corp "accepted Helen Thomas' retirement request" ...... polit-speak for "BE GONE FROM HERE YOU WRETCHED CREATURE"
LOL
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 14:58 — countriboyLOL, AP. You political speak is dead-on..
Character is destiny...
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 13:39 — countriboyI believe it was Heraclitus who observed that "Character is destiny."
Exhibit A is this dude's face. Need one say more?
Easley @ MW
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 13:27 — manfredWhen McGuire Woods hired Easley it was pretty clear that he had been close to some unsavory dealings while he was governor. The firm was well respected. You have to wonder how badly they have hurt their reputations by hiring Easley and Poole. Either they were too stupid to understand the risk they were taking or sleazy enough not to care. Neither option speaks well of their judgment and motives.
Making sure
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 13:09 — The_Nags_HeadIf I were the folks at McGuire, I'd count the silverware and make sure all the paintings and other valuables were still in their place. I'd probably change the locks as well.
Sleasley must be afraid of
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 12:51 — oneyetigerSleasley must be afraid of Perdue's millionaire tax so he pull the "official" income plug since only "little people" pay taxes. I expect there will be bags of cash passed at selected men's rooms in the triad or especially country clubs needing water for irrigation or calling off the enviros for permits needed without all the red tape that we must all put up with. Sleasly is about to lose his elistist status to leper to be avoided or maybe fitted out in the latest prison strip fashion hautre couture.
The Emperor has no clothes
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 12:52 — taxpayer2009"When Easley joined the firm in April 2009, he brought along his senior assistant for governmental affairs, Franklin Freeman, and executive counsel, Ruffin Poole. "
Still playing the emperor bringing his staff into the private trough after he sucked the citizens dry at the public one...with the blessing of McGuire & Co. of course.
Hopfully the citizens will have a chance to dress him in a new set of clothes soon...with pinstripes!
WHAT?????
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 12:22 — rlm7950 (not verified)WHAT????? WHY??????
Feeling the heat Mr. Ex-Governor?
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 12:19 — bphillips2It's starting to get hot isn't Mr. "Let's ram the lottery and toll roads down their throats"?
I guess you can always fall back on the secret slush funds, though.
"slip sliding away, slip
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:53 — thekittybees"slip sliding away, slip sliding away, you know the nearer the destination the more you slip sliding away"
Thank you Paul Simon! You describe Mike Easley to a tee!
"slip sliding away..."
Tue, 06/08/2010 - 23:12 — pencilpusher2This is a good one! We can only hope and time will tell if any "justice" is served.
All these people are lawyers and supposedly "officers of the law"............
including McGuire Woods...uuuggghhhhh
I'm about to think most "law-yers" are sleezebags......it's that "if you can't beat em, join em" thing, I guess...money's just too darn good apparently, whether it's "good money" or "bad money."
Scary.
Hopefully Butner has the room, and justice will begin to happen here in the "good old North state;" that remains to be seen.
Are we really 5th in line of "most corrupt state?" After spending time at the Hall of Horrors (Halls of Justice) in Wake Co. I wouldn't doubt it. That place is better than any haunted house I know at Halloween "masks" and all.
uugh.