RALEIGH — North Carolina's Northeast Partnership was formally separated from the state-created Northeastern North Carolina Economic Development Commission in 2003 in order to evade state Public Records Act requirements, according to documents obtained by Carolina Journal and confirmed by a Commission director. Related Northeast Partnership Articles: Partnership puts brakes on CEO search CJ: Organizations defy records request CJ: Audit critical of NE Partnership
RALEIGH — State Auditor Les Merritt yesterday released a scathing report on the activities of the North Carolina's Northeast Partnership, and the closely associated Northeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission, alleging that both organizations' directors "relinquished too much authority" and insufficiently exercised "their fiduciary responsibilities." Related Northeast Partnership Articles: NE Partnership paid big bonuses; Why? 'Looks like the whole damned crowd needs to be replaced' Partnership board failed to exercise oversight Report: Norris had vague contract with Partnership Norris's P.R. job puzzles some Partnership ends contract with Watson Norris called legislator a 'nutcase' Partnership says it's not subject to records law Organizations defy records request Commerce payments to Partnership unauthorized
RALEIGH — Despite the removal of its president and CEO, as well as its legal counsel, the Northeastern North Carolina Economic Development Commission and North Carolina's Northeast Partnership are withholding documents requested by Carolina Journal pursuant to the state's Public Records Act. Related Northeast Partnership Articles: Report: Norris had vague contract with Partnership Norris's P.R. job puzzles some Partnership ends contract with Watson Norris called legislator a 'nutcase' Partnership says it's not subject to records law Commerce payments to Partnership unauthorized
RALEIGH — A deal arranged by North Carolina's Northeast Partnership president Rick Watson to work with country musician Randy Parton is not the first case in which Watson has tried to become involved with a company that his public agency is trying to help. Watson, who leads many variations of the partnership, has in the past sought either a personal investment stake or other benefits from the businesses he has tried to help locate in northeastern North Carolina.
