NC Sons of Confederate Veterans leaders guilty of campaign finance misdemeanors
Two individuals affiliated with the North Carolina Division of the group Sons of Confederate Veterans pled guilty earlier this year to misdemeanor campaign finance violations committed in their role as leaders of an affiliated PAC, according to a 'closure notice' issued by the State Board of Elections last Friday. Meanwhile, the person who filed the complaint that gave rise to the prosecution — veteran campaign finance watchdog Bob Hall — is criticizing the settlement of the matter as 'pitiful.'
The case stems from the political controversy that surrounded the removal of the so-called 'Silent Sam' statute from the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill in 2018, and the subsequent back-and-forth that took place between UNC officials, state lawmakers, and private groups that sought to preserve and take control of the statue after it was torn down during a campus protest.
In January of 2020, Hall filed a lengthy and detailed complaint with the Board of Elections in which he provided evidence that the North Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, along with individual leaders of the group and affiliated organizations were involved in illegally financing the NC Heritage PAC. That PAC, in turn, donated thousands of dollars to an array of Republican officeholders and candidates.
Last Friday's notice reported that 'NC Heritage PAC Treasurer Mitchell Flinchum and NC Heritage PAC Assistant Treasurer Thomas Smith each pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of accepting monetary (cash) contributions in excess of $50 in violation of N.C.G.S. § 163-278.14(b). Both defendants were also ordered to pay the costs of court and a $100 fine.' The notice stated that it was notified of the plea arrangements by the Wake County District Attorney's office in January and that the complaint that gave rise to the investigation is now closed.
In a news release publicizing the closure of the case and the convictions, Hall lamented the size and scope of the penalties. 'It's a pitiful settlement, but at least they admitted to engaging in criminal activity,' said Hall, who had asked for dissolution of the PAC and the disgorgement of tens of thousands of dollars of PAC contributions that benefited Republican politicians.
Hall directed criticism at Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman for the modest nature of the punishment meted out.
'It's disappointing that the District Attorney took so long to accomplish so little,' Hall said. 'The way large amounts of cash moved in and out of SCV-related operations is highly suspicious and likely violated tax and anti-corruption laws in addition to a felony statute against filing false campaign finance reports.'
The original complaint identified $28,500 in contributions to several GOP politicians — including Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger — that Hall argued were unlawful and should have been redirected to the state Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund.
Hall's statement also quoted a pair of dissident Sons of Confederate Veterans members as being critical of the outcome.
Robert 'Smitty' Smith, a SCV member who helped the State Board of Elections document the illegal contributions, said, 'The fine is basically nothing – it's like there's no consequences for all they [SCV leaders] did.'
'It's crazy that it took so long and they get away,' said Chadwick Rogers, another SCV member who witnessed the illegal activity by SCV leaders that others labeled 'money laundering.' Rogers said the punishment should have included SCV losing its charity status.
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