Fundraising By Former NC First Lady Is Questioned

Instead of a quiet retirement, they now face federal subpoenas focused on his travel and her job. The two issues are linked by Easley ally McQueen Campbell, who provided private flights for Mike Easley both before and during his time in office and was an Easley appointee on the N.C. State board of trustees.

Nobody has been accused of a crime, but government watchdogs say Mary Easley's work posed ethical issues, especially because she had to raise money from private donors while her husband was in office.

"This is a situation in which the wife of the governor should be particularly aware that this has an appearance of influence peddling," said Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for Washington-based nonpartisan watchdog Public Citizen. "It is appropriately perceived as influence-peddling."

Mary Easley's attorney said she has received glowing reviews from university superiors who knew all about her fundraising. The donations also directly paid part of her salary.

"Looking at it from an ethical perspective, I see what was done as entirely appropriate," said her lawyer, Marvin Schiller. "I think it's good that people are ethically sensitive. I welcome that. But upon review, I don't see what the real problem is."