NORTH CAROLINA -- North Carolina lawmakers are taking a second look at the donations they received from one of those allegedly involved in a bribery scheme.
- Lindberg was among those indicted alongside the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.
- Both Richard Hudson and Patrick McHenry are also donating money they received from Lindberg.
- One of Congressman Mark Walker’s joint fundraising committees received a $150,000 contribution from Lindberg.
“We just don’t want anything to do with that,” said Rep. Ted Budd, R-13th District, who is one of a handful of North Carolina lawmakers who received campaign contributions from businessman Greg Lindberg.
Lindberg was among those indicted alongside the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. Lindberg, who over time has donated to both Republicans and Democrats, stands accused of offering political contributions as bribes.
Budd, who described the money he received from Lindberg as a "simple donation," now intends to donate the cash to charity.
“We think that it goes to a great cause, the Dragonfly House, a children advocacy center in Mocksville, NC,” Budd said.
Both Richard Hudson and Patrick McHenry are also donating money they received from Lindberg.
Hudson's campaign is giving the money to local charities “benefitting military families and veterans at Fort Bragg,” according to Hudson’s spokeswoman. McHenry’s campaign has donated the money to the Cleveland County Rescue Mission in the congressman's district, according to his campaign manager.
Lindberg also donated to Democrats – both in North Carolina and beyond. Among them is Congressman Charlie Crist, who reportedly also plans to donate Lindberg’s contributions.
The dash to give away less-than-desirable contributions has happened before, says Anna Massoglia with the Center for Responsive Politics, which monitors campaign finance. For example, several politicians rushed to take similar action after revelations emerged about Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
“A lot of that is a reflection of more transparency in the campaign finance system, that people are actually paying attention to who is donating to campaigns because that is more accessible,” Massoglia said.
One of Congressman Mark Walker’s joint fundraising committees received a $150,000 contribution from Lindberg, according to FEC filings. That contribution led Politico to identify Walker as “Public Official A” in the indictment.
In an interview, Walker insisted the money Lindberg donated to that joint fundraising committee did not benefit his campaign and instead went to the Republican National Committee. He reiterated he is “not a target” of the investigation.
So, what do North Carolina lawmakers on Capitol Hill make of this week’s revelations?
“It’s very heartbreaking, but this is a developing story and we’re just getting all the facts right now,” Budd said.