Ruffin Poole, a longtime aide to former Gov. Mike Easley who was described in court documents as the "little governor," is set to be sentenced on an income tax evasion guilty plea next month.
Poole entered the guilty plea one year ago this week in federal court, and pledged cooperation in what was then a wide-ranging probe of Easley.
There were mixed views at the time about whether Poole's deal would lead to further indictments or charges.
Poole struck the plea bargain in exchange for prosecutors' dropping of more than 50 counts of corruption-related charges issued against him in an indictment.
Then, late last year, Easley entered a guilty plea in state court on a felony campaign finance charge in a three-way deal that halted the federal probe without any other federal action against him.
Easley paid a $1,000 fine, and was not sentenced to any active jail time as a part of the plea.
Poole faces up to five years in prison on the income tax charge, though it is unclear if he will receive active jail time.
The sentencing is set for May 4 at 2 p.m. in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Terrence W. Boyle.
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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Comments
time
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 21:34 — debra58I think some time behind bars would be just penalty for what he did.
"Little Governor" was just a "wana-be"
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 20:31 — Wild_BillTo Joe Tarheel:
Yes, I know little gov's family. They are fine people. However, Mr. Poole will take the fall for Sleezely. Poole, a young lawyer, was too loyal to the big crook. It is obvious that Sleezely has been "on the take" ever since the Lottery/gaming/gambling industries took over and began operation of (HIS) NC Governor's office. (The press did not cover any of that.) I remenber when the press quoted J. Black as sayinng, "though he wanted someone else, Sleezely wanted Geddins on the Lottery Commission". We all know how that turned out.
Joe Tar, you sound like a DemRAT Spin Doctor or defense lawyer trying to SPIN and change the subject. No, I'm not a Republican; I was a Democrat until all this mess started. I'm now "Unaffiliated". I can now vote against crooks or for those of integrity. I never voted for Sleezely. So, you can't blame it on me.
Hey @joe tarheel
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 15:18 — PlainAndSimpleYou don't need a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows.
It's been clear for quite some time that corruption has been part and parcel of NC state government , from the top down. The day of reckoning has arrived. However, those who were corrupt will unfortunately not receive their full just desserts.
All of which has absolutely
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 15:10 — ProwlingWoofie^ All of which has absolutely nothing to do with the FACTS that they used their positions and influence to bilk the people of North Carolina and illegally pad their pockets...
do you know either of these people "lawyerz"?
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 14:02 — JoeTarheelMy guess is you don't know either Gov. Easely or Mr. Poole, have never met either of them, and know absolutely nothing about the real 'facts' of this case other than what you've automatically assumed by the inflamatory writings of the media hawks?
My guess also is you are a right-wing Republican and you have no idea or you've most likely chosen to ignore facts like the fact that a Republican appointed AG(Holding-Bush) and a Republican appointed Judge (Terrence Boyle-Helms) are the two 'chieftains' of this boondoogle.
I'm also guessing you have no clue that Mr. Holding used to clerk for Judge Boyle and you also didn't know that Judge Boyle used to spend the night at Mr. Holdings home when he came into town from Elizabeth City for court?
Sounds like all the elements of a fair trial to me.......
lawy3rz r uz
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 19:26 — piratesdont know the "miniature guv" but absolutely have met & know easley as i use to work for the peoples republic of north cackylacky when he was the "esteemed & fastidious" attorney general- back when he was building much of the infrastructure & corruption that now lines the walls and stench on the bench of the wake county courthouse. yep, also have met & know former guv jim martin and was lucky enough to attend both inaugurations of "W" (thats President George W. Bush to you) and survive thru the antics of Slick Willie and his multiple misadventures in the oval orifice.
good thing u "guessed" instead of "ASSumed"!!!
lawyerz r uz
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 13:57 — pirates$1K fine and no jail time sounds incredibly fitting.
did anyone mention that both of theze dudez r humble public servants serving the citizenry of north cackalacky...and "fine esteemed lawyerz"???