Answers about Thomas Wright's future

Q: Is Thomas Wright finished as a politician?

A: While the outlook for Wright's political career clearly isn't rosy, he still retains options that could return him to the General Assembly.

State law prohibits felons from holding office, but Wright's attorney has vowed to appeal his convictions. State elections officials said that until Wright's trial appeals are exhausted, he remains a registered voter and qualified to run for office.

Q: So, Wright could be back in the General Assembly?

A: Wright could return to office in two ways, assuming he can get out of prison.

One, a judge could overturn the House's expulsion. Days after being expelled, Wright asked the Wake County Superior Court to void the decision, saying the House did not have the power to discipline one of its own. The case has yet to be scheduled. Wright's attorney also said Monday that he would ask an appeals court to overturn the General Assembly's move.

Two, Wright might win re-election. He is one of three Democrats signed up for the House District 18 primary on May 6. If he wins, he could face Republican Thom Goolsby in the General Election.

If he were to win the primary and general election in November, the N.C. State Board of Elections would have to certify those results as long as Wright still has appeals pending.

Q: But what if he exhausts all his appeals?

A: If he loses his appeals after winning the primary, a committee of four Democratic Party members in Pender and New Hanover counties would pick another Democrat to be on the November ballots.

That same committee on Thursday picked Sandra Spaulding Hughes to replace Wright for the rest of this year because the House expelled him last month.

If Wright were to reclaim his seat in this year's general election but the House expels him again or he exhausts all his appeals, that committee again would be called on to choose someone to serve the rest of the term.

Q: What about Wright's legal troubles. Have we seen the end of those?

A: Last week, Judge Henry Hight dismissed a charge that involved a loan from the South East Community Credit Union in Wilmington.

Wright's attorney successfully argued that because the credit union is in Wilmington, it should not be tried in Wake County. That might have been only a temporary victory, however, as New Hanover District Attorney Ben David said he was ready to prosecute any matter that isn't fully resolved by this week's proceedings.

Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby also might still prosecute Wright for allegedly mishandling nearly $180,000 in campaign contributions, the charge that spawned the investigation into Wright's financial misconduct.

Wright also is appealing his dismissal from the House, and attorney Douglas Harris said Monday he also would appeal Wright's conviction.

Q: Is Wright facing federal charges?

A: No, but he could be. Federal and state investigators, as a rule, don't comment on investigations until charges are formally filed. But defrauding a bank is a federal offense. And if Wright did pocket campaign donations for personal use, then he also could face charges of tax evasion if he didn't declare the income on his tax forms.

Federal and state prosecutors normally don't like to step on each others' toes or have simultaneous investigations of the same person.

That allows them to maximize their limited investigatory and legal resources and potentially hold the threat of more charges over a suspect's head.

- From staff reports