N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis told indicted N.C. Rep. Stephen LaRoque he may want to consider submitting his resignation.
LaRoque was indicted Tuesday on eight federal charges and stands accused of stealing federal money from two economic development non-profits he ran. The grand jury indictment alleges LaRoque used the money to buy jewelry, collectible Faberge eggs, a Zamboni and ice-skating rink.
Tillis told the Associated Press that LaRoque is no longer serving in a leadership role at the N.C. General Assembly, and it was reported here by the News & Observer’s Craig Jarvis.
From today’s N&O story:
Tillis, a Republican from Mecklenburg County, also on Wednesday said the Kinston Republican will no longer serve in leadership positions on several committees, and referred the federal indictment against him to an ethics panel.
The Associated Press reported Tillis said in an interview Wednesday evening that he had told LaRoque it would be wise for him to step down from the legislature. LaRoque declined to comment to The Associated Press.