Yesterday District 1 for US Congress candidate Ashley Woolard ran across Eastern North Carolina. It’s been reported that G.K. Butterfield accepted campaign contributions from the now embattled New York Congressman Charlie Rangel.
Rangel faces ethics charges in the House that will be seen on national television on Thursday.
Woolard appeared in Goldsboro yesterday for a 4pm press conference at the Republican Headquarters on Center Street. When talking about the contribution Butterfield received, it’s been reported Woolard said, “In my opinion, and in the opinion of a lot of people here in eastern North Carolina, it’s not right,”
Woolard went on to say, “Here’s my thing on it. The definition of ‘bribe’ is simple. It’s money given to influence the behavior of a public official.”
Woolard said that in order for Butterfield to avoid the appearance of impropriety, “he (should) return the money. This whole thing has all the appearance of a payoff. Is it legal? Yes. But does that make it right? No. I’m not calling the congressman a criminal because this is legal. But it isn’t right.”
Congressman Butterfield is on the Committee on Standards and Conduct that is reviewing and is responsible for the Rangel probe. And Butterfield makes it clear that the money he received from Rangel was before he became part of the committee, and how the process of some congressmen helping others is fairly common.
It’s been reported Butterfield’s office said, “While Congressman Rangel’s National Leadership (Political Action Committee) has donated $4,000 to my political campaign, all of those donations were made prior to my appointment to the Committee. The bulk of the donations — $3,000 — came nearly five years ago during the 2004 election cycle. It is common for members of Congress or their leadership PAC to donate funds to assist those aspiring for a Congressional seat.”
