Background
Wright, Thomas E. was born on August 7, 1955 in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States.
Wright, Thomas E. was born on August 7, 1955 in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States.
An Express Mail Service instructor from Wilmington, North Carolina, Wright was serving his eighth term in the House when he was expelled from that chamber in 2008. A jury subsequently convicted him of corruption and embezzlement, sending him to jail for a 6-8 year term. In 2007, the North Carolina State Board of Elections launched an investigation of Wright"s campaign finances.
The board recommended that Wright be prosecuted, and information revealed in the board"s hearings led to calls for Wright to resign.
Wright was indicted by a Wake County grand jury "on five charges of obtaining property by false pretenses and one charge of obstruction of justice" on December 10, 2007. A House committee unanimously found probable cause to proceed on eight counts of misconduct in 2008.
Acting on that committee"s final recommendations, the full House voted 109-5 to expel Wright on March 20, 2008. A few weeks later, a jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to 6–8 years imprisonment.
Wright was on the primary ballot to get his seat back, but was removed from the ballot as a result of his conviction.
The North Carolina Constitution, like those of most other states, does not allow convicted felons to hold office. He was released on May 27th, 2014 after six years in prison.
He was the first member of the House expelled since Josiah Turner in 1880.
Married Joyce N. Wright. Children: Darryl, Shakima, Trinette, Thomas E. World War II.