By GARY D. ROBERTSON

Associated Press

RALEIGH -- Former Gov. Mike Easley's campaign was ordered Friday to pay $100,000 as state elections officials called for a criminal probe in the first official sanctions against Easley stemming from a stream of investigations since he left office in January.

The board's five members voted unanimously Friday to ask the Wake County district attorney to examine whether crimes occurred, largely related to previously undisclosed airplane flights taken by Easley while a candidate and piloted by a political ally, McQueen Campbell.

"There has been evidence received of election law campaign finance violations that suggest that Mike Easley and others may have violated North Carolina law," board Chairman Larry Leake said.

The board wants prosecutors to sort out the truth over repairs performed on Easley's Raleigh home and overseen by Campbell. Easley and Campbell gave contradictory statements during four days of testimony to the board.

Thomas Hicks, Easley's personal attorney, said after the hearing his client got what he wanted and he's confident the two-term Democratic governor did nothing wrong.

In an unusual closing argument Thursday, Hicks said prosecutors would have more resources to examine whether criminal charges are necessary.

"When I go to a tribunal and ask for it and they give me what I want, that makes me happy," Hicks told reporters.

Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby immediately asked the court system to remove him from the case because he and Easley are longtime friends. The Administrative Office of the Court agreed and assigned the case to Rowan County DA Bill Kenerly.

Easley appointed Willoughby's wife to the State Board of Education, and Easley's son is working this year as a law school intern in Willoughby's office.

"Having a district attorney handle the case that was not connected to the former governor would instill confidence in whatever decision is made," Willoughby said in an interview.

Board members agreed it was clear The Mike Easley Committee failed to report flights that Campbell said he flew for Easley between 1999 and 2004. Testimony from Easley and campaign leaders suggested no one had made it their job to ensure vendors such as Cambpell, who piloted at least 54 flight legs for Easley during that period, were in campaign reports.

The board told the Easley campaign to give up the value of the flights -- which the board determined to be $60,000 -- and to reimburse the elections board $40,000 for its investigation.

The board's decisions may diminish Easley's reputation as a former attorney general who stayed clear of wrongdoing. He had forged a law-and-order persona forged while putting away violent drug dealers as a coastal prosecutor.

"It can't help but cause problems with your feelings about a guy when he was supposed to be the top cop in the state," said Andy Dedmon, a former Democratic leader in the Legislature during Easley's first term. "When you're somebody who keeps getting thrown rocks at you, after awhile they're going to bruise you."

The activities of Campbell and Easley already have gotten the attention of federal prosecutors, and a grand jury has been calling witnesses to testify about a coastal subdivision where Easley and his wife purchased a lot and the hiring of former first lady Mary Easley at N.C. State University.

Easley appointed Campbell to the N.C. State University board but he resigned as board member this year as scrutiny grew over Mary Easley's post. She was later fired.

The state Democratic Party also was ordered to forfeit $9,000 in campaign funds for two donations solicited by the Easley campaign from contributors who testified they were told the money would pay Easley expenses. But the board didn't include the party in its request to examine potential charges.

The forfeited money from the Easley campaign and party go to the public schools.