After lobbyist indictments, SBI expands probe into Greater Carolina finances

A criminal investigation into an alleged scheme to improperly influence North Carolina lawmakers has expanded, with newly unsealed search warrants revealing investigators are examining tens of thousands of dollars in additional spending by Greater Carolina, the nonprofit at the center of the case. 

The latest warrant comes just months after a Wake County grand jury indicted four lobbyists on felony charges accusing them of arranging illegal gifts for members of the North Carolina General Assembly through Greater Carolina, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. The defendants, Kevin Wilkinson, Douglas “Bo” Heath, Douglas Miskew and David Ferrell, have all pleaded not guilty. 

According to the indictments, prosecutors allege each lobbyist encouraged companies they represented to either sponsor or contribute money to Greater Carolina with the understanding the funds would be used to pay for invitation-only Kentucky Bourbon Trail trips attended by state lawmakers in 2024.  

Those trips allegedly included airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, bourbon tastings, distillery tours, horse racing events, and other activities.  

• Wilkinson, president of The Southern Group, is accused of soliciting Sazerac Company to host legislators at Buffalo Trace Distillery for a tasting and dinner.  

• Heath, a lobbyist with McGuireWoods, allegedly arranged sponsorships from Diageo North America that included events at Stitzel-Weller Distillery and a steakhouse dinner.  

• Ferrell, a lobbyist for Maynard Nexsen PC, allegedly secured funding from the North Carolina Spirits Association for events at Heaven Hill Distillery and a reception in Louisville. 

• Miskew, a lobbyist for Public Sector Group. is accused of arranging a Churchill Downs-sponsored event during Opening Race Night.  

Prosecutors say the contributions ultimately benefited legislators in violation of North Carolina’s prohibition on lobbyists providing gifts to public officials. The investigation now appears to have broadened beyond the Kentucky trips. 

A search warrant from July 1 seeks additional banking records for Greater Carolina after investigators identified nearly $80,000 in spending between 2022 and 2024 that they believe warrants further investigation. According to the warrant, expenditures included approximately $10,981 at Topgolf in Atlanta, more than $26,000 connected to a Carolina Panthers events, a $26,602 weeklong vacation rental in Emerald Isle, nearly $11,900 at a business investigators identified as operating a gentleman’s club near Tampa, Florida, and another $3,260 at a company associated with a gentleman’s club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

The warrant does not allege lawmakers attended or had anything to do with those events. Instead, investigators wrote they believe the financial records may contain evidence of additional criminal conduct, including obtaining property by false pretenses involving individuals associated with Greater Carolina. 

Investigators noted that Greater Carolina described its mission as “embracing the policies necessary to maintain and support our status as one of the best states in the nation for business and free enterprise.” However, the search warrant states that tax-exempt organizations “must operate primarily to further the common good and general welfare of the people of the community.” Based on the financial records reviewed, SBI investigators wrote there is “probable cause to believe” the organization’s bank records “may be evidence of conduct and activities constituting the crime of obtaining property by false pretense by individuals associated with Greater Carolina, Inc.” 

Greater Carolina has previously rejected allegations surrounding the Kentucky trips, describing them as overblown. No current or former members of the General Assembly have been charged, and neither Greater Carolina nor its leadership has been criminally charged. 

The SBI investigation began after public attention focused on the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour, eventually leading to complaints that prompted a criminal investigation. Court records indicate investigators continue seeking financial records from multiple institutions and businesses as the probe moves forward, suggesting the investigation remains active. 

“After lobbyist indictments, SBI expands probe into Greater Carolina finances” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.