Partnership Seeks Grant for CropTech Costs

RALEIGH -- In early May 2002 Ernie Pearson, the N.C. Northeast Partnership lawyer, informed Rick Watson about legal expenses from the CropTech deal, including costs "to assist in overcoming concerns raised by Commerce Secretary Jim Fain and to finalize the [agreement]." Watson also requested that Pearson bill the Northeast Partnership for future services related to the deal, though it never went through. Watson sought Tobacco Trust Fund funds to cover these tens of thousands of dollars in cost.