Easley Scandal Fallout Continues

N.C. State fires Mary Easley

By Jay Price & J. Andrew Curliss
News & Observer

N.C. State University's Board of Trustees has terminated the contract of Mary Easley.

The trustees said the duties of Easley's job no longer exist and her departure from N.C. State would be in the best interest of the university.

Records: Mike Easley involved in hiring

By J. Andrew Curliss
News & Observer

New documents show that the Mary Easley job at N.C. State University was orchestrated at the highest levels of state government, and included the direct involvement of then-Gov. Mike Easley.

E-mail messages show the creation of the job for Mary Easley was orchestrated in April and May of 2005 by the governor and that her job formation also included his wife, Mary; the chancellor at N.C. State, James Oblinger; a key trustee, McQueen Campbell; a senior adviser to Easley who now heads the Golden Leaf Foundation, Dan Gerlach; and an NCSU lobbyist at the time, Andy Willis.

Until now, officials have all denied any involvement in the hiring other than by former Provost Larry Nielsen, who the records show was also involved in creating the position that gave Mary Easley an $80,000, three-year contract to oversee a speakers series and help teach a class.

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