Today’s News and Observer brought word in big type that Governor Perdue’s staff drafted two “false letters” that misrepresented the views of the NCDOT’s chief operating officer Jim Trogdon regarding two road projects. I read and reread the article, confused about where the controversy was that prompted the bombastic headline, “Perdue Staff Altered Letters.”
From what I can gather, Trogdon was out of town, the governor’s office asked Trogdon’s office for help in responding to concerns of two legislators, Trogdon’s staff worked with Perdue’s staff to craft the letters, and the letters were sent to the legislators in time for the budget meeting.
Trogden’s assistant takes full responsibility for the changes, since she approved them. To me, this is simply a breakdown in communication, not the conspiracy the N&O makes it out to be.
Betsy Muse has a bigger breakdown on the issue here.