News-Record.com

I just posted an early version of this story online:

House Speaker Joe Hackney has ordered an investigation of Rep. Cary Allred, an Alamance County Republican, who numerous witnesses say may have behaved inappropriately on the floor.

“I heard various reports of alcohol use by him, of speeding on the way to session and his embrace of a page,” said Hackney, a Democrat.

House pages are typically high school students who help distribute papers and otherwise keep committee meetings and meetings of the House running.

Allred acknowledged in an interview that an investigation was ongoing, calling it a “witch hunt” by the Speaker, with whom he frequently spars with on the floor.

“I am simply responding to what I would characterize as numerous reports from people of both parties,” Hackney said.

Update: Click here to listen to my interview with Allred before the House session started today.

Update: Click here to listen to one of the more contentious moments from the House session Monday night.