© 2021
In touch with the world ... at home on the High Plains
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
KJJP-FM 105.7 is currently operating at 15% of power, limiting its signal strength and range in the Amarillo-Canyon area. This due to complicated problems with its very old transmitter. Local engineers are continuing to work on the transmitter and are consulting with the manufacturer to diagnose and fix the problems. We apologize for this disruption and service as we work as quickly as possible to restore KJPFM to full power. In the mean time you can always stream either the HPPR Mix service or HPPR Connect service using the player above or the HPPR app.

North Carolina GOP Chair Indicted On Wire Fraud, Bribery Charges

American Homefront Project | By Laura Pellicer,
Dave DeWitt
Published April 2, 2019 at 12:26 PM CDT
North Carolina GOP Chair Robin Hayes (shown in 2004) has been indicted on charges including wire fraud and bribery.
Chuck Burton
/
AP
North Carolina GOP Chair Robin Hayes (shown in 2004) has been indicted on charges including wire fraud and bribery.

Updated at 5 p.m. ET

The chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, Robin Hayes, has been indicted on charges including wire fraud, bribery and aiding and abetting. Durham businessman and political donor Greg Lindberg, along with two of his associates, John Gray and John Palermo Jr., were also indicted. Lindberg is the owner of Global Bankers Insurance Group, headquartered in Durham, N.C.

The indictment, issued by U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, outlines how the defendants allegedly came up with a scheme "to defraud and to deprive North Carolina and the citizens of North Carolina of their intangible right to the honest services of the commissioner, an elected official, through bribery."

According to the indictment, Hayes, Lindberg and the two associates promised "millions of dollars of contributions" for "official actions favorable to GBIG."

Lindberg has been under federal investigation for alleged financial crimes and for his contributions to North Carolina politicians.

Hayes had announced Monday that he would not seek re-election, saying the state GOP's convention in June would be his last leading the party. He has surrendered himself to authorities and made a first appearance at a federal court in Charlotte on Monday.

In a tweet, NCGOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse acknowledged the news:

Lindberg's attorney, Anne Tompkins, told WUNC via email he "is innocent of the charges in the indictment and we look forward to demonstrating this when we get our day in court."

North Carolina Republican Party counsel Josh Howard said the party "has been cooperating with the investigation for several months."

Read the indictment below:

Copyright 2019 North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC
Tags
NPR Top Stories
Laura Pellicer
Laura Pellicer is a producer with The State of Things (hyperlink), a show that explores North Carolina through conversation. Laura was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, a city she considers arrestingly beautiful, if not a little dysfunctional. She worked as a researcher for CBC Montreal and also contributed to their programming as an investigative journalist, social media reporter, and special projects planner. Her work has been nominated for two Canadian RTDNA Awards. Laura loves looking into how cities work, pursuing stories about indigenous rights, and finding fresh voices to share with listeners. Laura is enamored with her new home in North Carolina—notably the lush forests, and the waves where she plans on moonlighting as a mediocre surfer.
See stories by Laura Pellicer
Dave DeWitt
Dave DeWitt is WUNC's Feature News Editor. As an editor, reporter, and producer he's covered politics, environment, education, sports, and a wide range of other topics.
See stories by Dave DeWitt