Hearing Delayed in Hobbs' Case

As of Thursday, January 13, 2011

Whatever plea deal Fred Hobbs has made with the state on his misdemeanor charge won’t be heard until Feb. 24.

His case was on the docket in Carthage for Thursday morning’s session of Criminal District Court, but it was carried over to next month. The announcement was made when his case came up during calendar call.

The former state senator faces misdemeanor charges alleging that he made illegal corporate contributions to the 2008 political campaigns of Gov. Beverly Perdue and outgoing N.C. Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight. They say Hobbs, acting as an officer of his company, Hobbs, Upchurch & Associates, “made or caused to be” illegal contributions.

On Dec. 9, the State Board of Elections fined Hobbs $150,000 for illegally “making political contributions in the name of another” as a result of a settlement agreement with him.

The state board investigation came in response to a complaint filed by state Republican Party Chairman Tom Fetzer, who said political donations by employees of Hobbs, Upchurch & Associates looked suspicious.

Over the course of 11 years, Hobbs had funneled about $148,000 to various campaigns according to his attorney Michael Weisel.

It is illegal for corporations to donate to political campaigns. Individuals are forbidden to contribute more than $4,000 per candidate per election. It is against the law to pass money to a campaign through another person, as Hobbs admitted doing. Purdue’s and Basnight’s campaigns will have to return the money.

“In the terms of our settlement discussions, Mr. Hobbs takes full and complete responsibility for ‘contributions in the name of another,’” Weisel told the elections board in December.

Hobbs himself apologized in writing to Moore County Partners for Progress, an economic development organization he chairs. He stressed that neither he not his company derived any benefit from the contributions.

“At no time were any of my employees forced or coerced in any way to make the contributions and they were all told if they were not comfortable doing this to just tell me so,” Hobbs said in the letter.

Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.

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theonewithsense 2 years, 4 months ago

Hobbs launders hundreds of thousands of dollars netting him millions - probation

black kid steals bike - prison

3 prescription pills - felony trafficing

whatwhatWhat 2 years, 4 months ago

so who will Purdue and Basnight return the campaign money to?

each individual that Fred bribed?

difflook 2 years, 4 months ago

FRED HOBBS, thank you when they looked you STOOD UP and said YES! I did it and heres my payment! No first stone thrower here, thanks for all you have done for Moore County and all the non-profit things that you have contributed your time and money too!

whatwhatWhat 2 years, 4 months ago

non-profit things like what?? creating perception, leveraging resources, and free marketing...

MichaelFlorence 2 years, 4 months ago

Hand caught in State Cookie Jar - Hand slapped. Business as usual.

In the end it is business as usual - It is not who you know, but how much can you give! At least Hobbs & Upchurch should be barred from any State contracts for least a year or two. If not - What was the message sent?, give $148,000.00 in illegal contributions, have your business grow by leaps and bounds. Then get caught write a personal check for the fine of $150,000.00, have the campaigns of Basnight and Perdue give you the money back and basically be back even, EXCEPT for all that State Business. Really makes me want to throw up.

SoPinesNo1 2 years, 4 months ago

There are repercussions, and it is affecting more than just Mr. Hobbs. Check by their office and see how many employees were laid off last week. As usual, the antics of the well to do end up hurting the working class.