Two former workers in Joe Boylan's campaign who were accused of illegally voting in the 2006 election have been cleared of wrongdoing.

The N.C. attorney general's office looked into the accusation. The office does not plan to bring charges.

"I can confirm that special prosecutors reviewed the case and declined to prosecute due to lack of evidence," said Noel Talley, spokesperson for the attorney general's office.

A complaint alleged that Kristen Reitler, Boylan's former campaign manager, and Elizabeth Powell, her assistant, violated state election law by registering to vote in Moore County when they did not intend to be permanent residents.

Boylan said he was sad that accusations hurt the reputations of the two young women involved. He said that it was his political enemies trying to hurt him.

"I'm gratified that justice prevailed," Boylan said when reached by phone Tuesday. "It was always a frivolous complaint. The last couple of years, I've tried to overcome these dirty attack politics. I'm going to keep working to make dirty attacks in Moore County a thing of the past.

"I'm really just glad that Kristen and Elizabeth can get on with their lives without this frivolous complaint hanging over their heads."

Joan Thurman and Bonnie Daugherty filed the complaint with the state Board of Elections after the 2006 primary. They had supported then-state Rep. Richard Morgan, who lost to Boylan in a bitterly contested race.

Morgan had represented Moore County in the General Assembly for 18 years and had served as co-speaker of the House and later speaker pro tem. He rose to become the most powerful elected Republican in the state.

Morgan angered state Republican Party leaders after working out a power-sharing deal with Democrat Jim Black to serve as co-speakers. The state party backed Boylan in the primary. Boylan then defeated two unaffiliated opponents, Gerald Galloway and Bud Shaver, in the general election.

Boylan is currently running for re-election to the District 52 seat. He is being challenged in a GOP primary by Jamie Boles and Lane Toomey. Morgan is running for state superintendent of public instruction.

On Thursday, State Highway Patrol Troopers charged Boylan with driving while impaired after a one-car accident in Cameron. Boylan released a statement Friday saying that he is seeking counseling to stop drinking.

Contact Matthew Moriarty at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty @thepilot.com.