Former NC Rep Jason Saine Indicted in Greater Carolina Corruption Case

“I do not understand why I have been charged in this case,” former N.C. Rep. Jason Saine told WUNC News via text message.

Saine, a Republican who served as a high-level budget writer in the House before resigning in 2024 to work as a lobbyist, faces indictment on embezzlement and obtaining property by false pretenses. The charges are part of a broader public corruption investigation into Greater Carolina, a dark-money group that has come under intense scrutiny for its spending habits and influence.

The indictment alleges that Saine “aided and abetted” David Coble, the leader of Greater Carolina, in a scheme involving the misuse of funds. According to court documents, Coble solicited contributions under the guise of promoting business and free enterprise policies, but instead directed more than $100,000 toward personal benefits, including food, beverages, athletic event tickets, and hotel accommodations, WUNC News reported.

This legal development escalates the investigation led by Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman. The probe gained momentum following a 2024 Kentucky bourbon distillery tour sponsored by the group, an event where a distillery employee accused attendees of drunk and disorderly behavior.

The focus of the investigation has centered on whether Greater Carolina functioned as a legitimate social welfare organization or as a vehicle to bypass state ethics and lobbying regulations. These 501(c)(4) organizations, while legal, often operate with less transparency than traditional political committees.

“From the beginning, the focus of this investigation has been to determine what, if any, laws were violated in the operation of this organization,” Freeman said in a news release Thursday.

Freeman said that while these organizations are a pervasive fixture in modern politics, they are not exempt from the law. She emphasized that they should not be used as an “end run” around the state’s Ethics Act and lobbying rules.

Saine has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he had no role in the group’s financial decisions. He said that the organization is governed by an independent board and that he did not commit any crime, expressing his intention to clear his name.

Former NC lawmaker indicted on embezzlement, other charges in political corruption probe — WRAL

Coble, a Mooresville-based real-estate developer, faces similar charges. Until recently, he co-hosted a weekly radio program with N.C. Sen. Vickie Sawyer, a Republican from Iredell.

The timing of the indictments adds a layer of political complexity to the proceedings. District Attorney Freeman is set to leave her office at the end of the year, handing the case over to incoming District Attorney Wiley Nickel. Nickel has previously said that public corruption will be a primary focus of his administration.

However, the transition is occurring amid a period of legislative tension. Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch, a Democrat from Wake, expressed concern that Republican legislators might attempt to alter the responsibilities of the Wake County district attorney during the current lame-duck session.

The investigation has already touched several other figures. Earlier this year, Freeman charged four lobbyists whose clients helped fund the Kentucky trip, alleging violations of state lobbying laws. Three of those lobbyists reached agreements in September to pay fines and cooperate with the investigation, according to reports from The News & Observer.

Saine and Coble are scheduled to make their first court appearance on Dec. 7.

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