Governor Cooper Asked to Testify in Public Hearing on ACP Pipeline Scandal Investigation

RALEIGH – Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it. That proverb could apply to Governor Roy Cooper as a state legislative oversight committee has invited him to testify at a public hearing to answer some tough questions. The invitation comes after Cooper proved uncooperative with the committee’s hired investigators, refusing access to staff, and demanding a transparent, public hearing.

Well now he has one. Will he dare to actually take the hot seat? What about his key lieutenants in the swampy ACP deal? From the Letter:

“To that end, the independent investigators have informed us that they wish to hear from you, Ken Eudy, William McKinney, and Julia White. We hope that you and the requested staff are available during the oversight hearing, which we are holding because of your refusal to speak to or allow your staff to speak to the independent investigators in the same confidential format used for all interviewees.”

Eudy Cooper’s top adviser, is behind much of his more sly, political power plays and was intimately involved in crafting this shady deal. The others with heavy involvement; Cooper’s general counsel McKinney and White, a deputy chief of staff.

Cooper literally asked for public hearings, after calling the Republican efforts political theater, which seems nonsensical. While Cooper maybe resistant to appearing before the committee, he and the others listed are the most culpable of anyone. At issue is not just the near $58 million slush fund that Cooper and Eudy successfully secured for the governor’s exclusive control, but whether or not Cooper held up the permit in order to also secure a side deal involving Duke Energy, a solar company, and a big Cooper donor that was enriched by it.

Of course, Cooper denies any impropriety, but no one can be sure — especially the most deserving public — unless Cooper and company answer tough questions. This is what they asked for; let’s hear it.