First, Sen. Kay Hagan said U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding, a Republican appointed by George W. Bush and the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina -- the one who's investigating John Edwards and former N.C. Gov. Mike Easley -- would be replaced in weeks.
However, after reportedly speaking to the White House she's now OK with Holding sticking around until he's finished investigating the former senator with the well-paid ex-girlfriend and the well-traveled ex-governor with the well-paid wife.
But, there's more: Hagan created a panel to screen possible replacements for Holding. Tuesday, one of them quit and drove over to Easley's house for a visit. Odd.
And, the saga continues. Mary Easley, the well-paid wife in question, is holding a press conference today at 11 a.m.
Republican U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding appears to have kept his job, extending his control over federal investigations of North Carolina's two highest-profile Democrats of the past decade.In a reversal from a few days ago, Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan said Wednesday that Holding should remain until investigations of former Gov. Mike Easley and former Sen. John Edwards are completed. She announced her decision after consulting with the White House.
Hagan's new stance came a day after the resignation of one member of a three-person screening panel that she established to winnow candidates for the top prosecutors and judicial positions in North Carolina.
Locke Clifford, a criminal defense lawyer from Greensboro, stepped down Tuesday but did not cite a reason. Clifford has not returned calls or made comments. Clifford's vehicle was at the home of Mike and Mary Easley in Raleigh late Tuesday afternoon.