RALEIGH, N.C. — Former North Carolina Rep. Rodney Moore surrendered at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday.
Moore was indicted by a Mecklenburg County grand jury on Monday on nine felony charges connected with filing of false campaign finance disclosure reports ranging from 2011 to 2015.
Moore knowingly certified under oath that false campaign finance reports were true, according to the indictments. Officials said each count is a Class I felony.
Moore’s treasurer, Tammy Neal, was also indicted on one count of common law obstruction of justice -- a felony.
While treasurer for the Committee to Elect Rodney W. Moore, the indictment said Neal submitted fraudulent documents falsely appearing to be bank records to the State Board of Elections.
“Agency audits of campaign disclosures detect those who try to use their campaign accounts as personal piggy banks," said Kim Westbrook Strach, State Board executive director. "We hope these prosecutions highlight the importance of accurate campaign finance disclosure. Voters have a right to know how candidates are raising and spending campaign cash.”
The State Board started investigating in 2017 after an audit showed campaign contribution and expenditures reports irregularities. The Board subpoenaed the committee’s bank records after unsuccessful attempts to get them voluntarily.
In October, the then-State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement voted 9-0 to refer the cases to the Mecklenburg County district attorney. Officials say the vote followed a presentation from Executive Director Strach, detailing the findings of the investigation, including:
- The committee didn't disclose more than $141,000 in receipts and expenditures between 2010 and 2017.
- The committee failed to disclose more than $25,000 in cash withdrawals and cash back from purchases.
- The committee submitted altered bank records in response to questions from State Board auditors.