We now bring you a story of possible election fraud in North Carolina. The setting, the city of Lumberton, south of Fayetteville. The scheme? Allegedly buying votes. The currency? Well, investigators aren’t saying but it may have something to do with breakfast.
Yes, we know this sounds like the set up to a joke. But the allegations are real and serious enough the State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI are looking into the matter.
This all has to do with a seat on the Lumberton City Council. Incumbent Leon Maynor held onto that seat in November’s election. He defeated challenger Laura Sampson by a single vote.
Sampson, who has twice tried to oust Maynor, filed a complaint with the state board of elections alleging some kind of shenanigans. We don’t know exactly what since the allegations have yet to be made public. Maynor countered by filling his own allegations of tomfoolery done by Sampson.
And that’s where breakfast may come into play.
Besides being home to Maynor and Sampson, Lumberton is home to two Huddle House restaurants. Back in 2007, when these two foes were again fighting for the same seat, Maynor, the incumbent, accused Sampson, the challenger of bartering $5 coupons to Huddle House in exchange for votes. A 2 year investigation ensued but no charges were filed.
Sampson has been quoted by the News and Observer of saying this current dustup is almost identical.
We don’t know what the current allegations are because the State Board of Elections has referred the case to state and federal investigators. But the board did find something was so amiss in the Lumberton election that it has ordered a new election be held. The do-over race will take place on March 15.
