The word 'fraud' is becoming a bitter pill for the North Carolina GOP to swallow this week. After the alleged voting fraud committed by the Koch brothers via AFP/Americans For Prosperity, there is now a welfare fraud allegation against Republican candidate,
Senator Wesley Meredith. This from the Conservative party extremists that basically call America's poor, unemployed, and welfare recipients,
'lazy, undeserving, benefit-sucking, scum of the earth.'
North Carolina's ABC11.com reports:
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, (Republican) party chair Linda Devore said the Cumberland County GOP looks forward to Senator Meredith refuting the allegations made Tuesday by his opponent, (Democratic) Fayetteville attorney Billy Richardson.
On Tuesday, Richardson released a load of Meredith's public and private financial and public assistance documents. They indicate Meredith and his ex-wife, Elizabeth Meredith, received welfare in the late 1990s. At the time, the couple earned annual incomes in the six-figure range.
The linked article above is the GOP trying to save face. Of course, Meredith called Richardson's document release a 'below the belt' personal attack. That said, Meredith has not denied the allegation.
This story follows news of a new Republican Koch Brothers investigation for allegedly sending out false, misleading, and confusing voting information to hundreds of thousands of NC residents.
The GOP currently owns the majority in both General Assembly House and Senate Chambers, as well as the NC Supreme Court, and the governor's seat. Looks like change is a-comin'.
Update: Here is the story and quote by Senator Meredith's ex-wife, Beth Longbottom Meredith. Fayetteville News reports:
"I had no outside source of income," Beth Meredith said.
"My children and I were totally dependent on Wesley's income. He did not keep me informed about the financial decisions he made for our family."
Special thanks to Daily Kos
'Kossack' jimstaro for the updated link.