Receive the morning news briefs delivered to your email inbox every morning. Click here to sign up.

North Carolina Ballot Fraud Investigation Yields New Charges

A ballot fraud investigation has produced new felony charges against the political operative at the center of a disputed North Carolina congressional election.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman announced Tuesday that Leslie McCrae Dowless was indicted on new charges related to the 2018 general election including perjury, obstruction of justice and absentee ballot possession. He and others were charged earlier this year with counts related to the 2016 general election and 2018 primary.

The new indictment alleges Dowless directed people to collect absentee ballots that hadn't been properly completed by voters. Dowless had worked for a GOP candidate Mark Harris. 

Elections Board Chairman Resigns, Apologizes For Inappropriate Joke

North Carolina's Board of Elections Chairman has resigned after opening a statewide meeting of elections officials with a joke about cows and women who don't want sex.

Gov. Roy Cooper accepted Democrat Robert Cordle's resignation on Tuesday. WRAL reports Wake County Board of Elections member Gerry Cohen called the joke Cordle told Monday "misogynistic and wildly inappropriate." Cordle apologized in his resignation letter.

His departure leaves the board split 2-2 for a key vote Thursday on new elections equipment. 

Officials: 3 Correctional Officers Assaulted At State Prison

A state official confirms three correctional officers were assaulted at the North Carolina prison where an officer was killed two years ago.

The state Department of Public Safety says an inmate at Bertie Correctional Institution hit a sergeant and two officers last Friday afternoon.

A DPS spokesman says no serious injuries were reported and the officers were able to subdue the inmate.

In April 2017, Sgt. Meggan Callahan was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher at the prison in Windsor, about 45 miles northeast of Greenville.

UNC Charlotte Chancellor To Retire In June 2020

The chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has announced plans to retire next June.

Philip Dubois disclosed his decision in an email sent to the campus. He called his message "bittersweet."

Dubois first came to UNCC in 1991 as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, then left in 1997 to serve as president of the University of Wyoming before returning in 2005 to become UNCC's fourth chancellor.

Board Overturns Firing Of Former Asheville Police Captain

A grievance board has overturned the firing of a former North Carolina police captain, saying the officer deserved discipline for some of his actions but shouldn't have lost his job.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reports the Civil Service Board overturned the firing of former Asheville police Capt. Mark Byrd. His attorney, John C. Hunter, says the five-person board voted 4-1 on Monday after three days of hearings.

Hunter says the hearings were closed to the public and the media at the city's request. The newspaper reports that the board found some charges against Byrd may have warranted discipline but not firing.

300x250 Ad

300x250 Ad

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Donate