Local, state officials hope they can put Wright ordeal behind them

Three investigations into former state legislator Thomas Wright and three findings of wrongdoing.

So, with Monday's criminal conviction, is it finally over?

Local officials hope so.

Monday a Wake County jury found Wright guilty of fraud. That followed rulings earlier this year by the state Board of Elections and a special House ethics committee that Wright acted unethically in handling finances related to his political campaigns and nonprofits in which he was involved.

Now, with the Wilmington Democrat headed to jail, state and local officials are hoping the region finally can put Wright and his legal problems in its rear-view mirror.

Jim Morgan, head of the New Hanover County Democratic Party, said Wright made some significant accomplishments during his nearly eight terms in office.

"But somewhere along the way he lost his way," he said. "While tragic, he ultimately had to be held accountable, and now it's time to move forward."

State. Rep. Danny McComas, R-New Hanover, said there's no question Wright's fight to stay in office in the face of seemingly overwhelming evidence to the contrary has hurt Wilmington and New Hanover County.

"This is something that's going to take years to overcome," he said, a tinge of anger in his voice. "But we need to move on, let bygones be bygones and look forward.

"We need to embrace the future."

During his trial, Wright blamed his support for state Sen. Julia Boseman's opponent in the 2006 election, in part, for sparking the investigations that led to his conviction.

"The jury has spoken," Boseman, D-New Hanover, said Monday afternoon. "It's over and it's time for the area to move forward."

Bobby Greer, chairman of the New Hanover County Commissioners, echoed the sentiment.

"It's always a shame when one elected person does something wrong because it taints all of us," he said of the broad stain of political malfeasance. "But it's time to move forward."

Joe Sinsheimer, a Democratic activist whose complaint to the state Board of Elections in December 2006 launched the investigations into Wright's behavior, said Monday's verdict showed that the Wilmington Democrat had simply run out of options.

"After more than 15 months of excuses, half-truths and finger-pointing at others, the truth finally caught up with Thomas Wright today," he said in an e-mail. "Mr. Wright has no one to blame for these mistakes other than himself."

House Speaker Joe Hackney, who spearheaded the push to get Wright expelled from the General Assembly, said Monday's decision was a necessary conclusion to what was once a very bright political future.

"I regret that his legislative career ended this way, but I look forward to moving ahead in our chamber and making sure the people of District 18 get the representation they deserve," he said in a statement released Monday afternoon.

Morgan, the local Democratic chairman, said he already was looking to the future - and hoped others would also.

"The jury has spoken, the House has spoken, the leaders of both political parties have spoken, and the special committee for House District 18 has spoken," he said, referring to the selection of Sandra Spaulding Hughes last week to serve out the remaining seven months of Wright's term.

"It seems clear that this is the end of the chapter."

Gareth McGrath: 343-2384

gareth.mcgrath@starnewsonline.com