Does Gov. Perdue Have a Crony Capitalist Problem?

Maybe!

A state lawmaker and a group of Democratic political donors with ties to Gov. Beverly Perdue are poised to sell land at a handsome profit for a tire plant that’s being lured with $100 million in state and local incentives, according to public records reviewed by The Associated Press.

As North Carolina’s chief executive, the governor is a key decision maker in large incentives deals involving state money. She also helps appoint the board members of a foundation that’s been asked to provide part of the tire plant’s package. Perdue’s campaign has received more than $52,000 from five men with an ownership stake in the Brunswick County industrial park proposed for the new facility.

The governor’s son, Garrett Perdue, is also a lawyer and site-selection consultant for an influential law firm that a county official said was advising the tire company. The firm, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, does not disclose which projects the younger Perdue works on, citing attorney-client privilege.

Perdue’s spokesman stressed Thursday that the company seeking the incentives, not the governor’s aides, chose the site. The North Carolina site is competing with sites in two other states.

“Gov. Perdue is focused on bringing 1,300 jobs to North Carolina,” said Mark Johnson, Perdue’s spokesman. “She doesn’t care where in the state the plant goes, who owns the land or who the company hires as its lawyer. She just wants the jobs.”

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