Legislative page scandal in North Carolina?
The News and Observer of Raleigh reports today:
"Former state House Page Coordinator Ann Lassiter admits she made a serious mistake when she arranged for teenage pages to stay with her son, a felon with a history of drug and alcohol problems.
"But after her mistake became known to House Speaker Jim Black, he allowed her to retire from the position in April 2005 and then hired her back a month later as House historian, a position he created.
"Lassiter now makes $50,627 a year, but has no office, is rarely seen at the legislature and says she is unlikely to produce her major project -- a report on the history of the House -- before her temporary position runs out at the end of the year."
Read the whole story. It's an amazing account of a program involving youngsters in the care of the state legislature, and some very poor oversight of some aspects of that program.
When problems were discovered, they were kept quiet.
Sound familiar?
Who's going to take responsibility?
Comments (3)
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Is it just me or does this sound like Mark Foley and Dennis Hastert that the Dems made so much about and partially influenced the recent elections? I find it impossible to comprehend how citizens of this state could return Jim Black to public office. And, to think that he could reclaim his positon as Speaker is unthinkable. Does a Speaker have to resign his position if he is convicted and sent to prison?
Posted on December 8, 2006 1:03 PM
Doug, I think the taxpayers of NC should be allowed to sue Jim Black persoanally for50K that was paid to A. Lassiter for essentially nothing. Just like Dot Kearns, Sue Mendenhall, Sykes and Cooke should be sued if Terry Grier's extended contract needs to be bought out.
Whenever taxpayers are penalized for legislative action that serves no purpose other than the enrichment of said individuals at taxpayer expense for no apparent purpose,they should be held personally liable. What do you think?
Posted on December 8, 2006 2:17 PM
Interesting concept. If all the elected leaders have to pay out of their own pockets for all their bad hires, our tax bills can be cut in half.
Posted on December 8, 2006 2:25 PM