Kevin Geddings, the former state lottery commissioner who is now in prison serving a four-year sentence. He was convicted of violating an obscure law that prosecutors argued Geddings had a duty to provide the public with his "honest services."
Michael Decker, the former House member who switched parties to keep former Speaker Jim Black in power, also is in prison for four years. He pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge that said he deprived the public of his "honest services" by engaging in extortion, mail fraud and money laundering.
Frank Ballance Jr., the former U.S. Congressman, was released this year from prison after serving four years. He was also convicted after pleaded guilty to fraud counts under the honest services law.
That law is about to get a thorough review by the U.S. Supreme Court, with some predicting sweeping changes. The New York Times offered a preview in today's editions.
In North Carolina, prosecutors have generally established underlying criminal acts in also pursuing the honest services charge, something not always the case elsewhere.
So the effects on corruption cases here are difficult to say, no matter how the high court acts.
Some have suggested the ongoing case involving former Gov. Mike Easley, who denies all wrongdoing, could end up in an honest services framework. Prosecutors won't comment.
But as a tool in pursuing public officials, current U.S. Attorney George Holding has been unequivocal.
After Geddings' conviction by a jury in Oct. 2006, Holding spoke to reporters outside the courthouse's front door.
"Today's verdict sends a very, very clear message that public servants in North Carolina may not lie to the people, they may not hide the truth from the people and they may not profit on the backs of the people," he said. "If they do so, they violate the law of honest services."
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.
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