N.C. auditor critical of Perdue, Moore

State property used for politics, he says

RALEIGH (Winston-Salem Journal) - The two leading Democratic candidates for governor improperly allowed their staffs to use state resources for political campaigning, the state auditor said yesterday.

None of the incidents identified in two investigative audits appeared to be major violations. Both candidates - Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore - said they have tried to maintain a strict wall between state business and campaign activities.

But the audits point to the gray area created when high-ranking state officials are running competitive political campaigns, especially when many of their state employees are simultaneously working on their campaigns. At times, politics and policy can become intermingled.