NC Heritage PAC, a pro-Republican political fundraising organization ran by members of the North Carolina division of Sons of Confederate Veterans, is under investigation by the North Carolina Board of Elections.
According to a report by INDYWeek.com, the Board of Elections believes N.C. SCV is running Heritage PAC in violation of their own tax-exempt status, and has been "funding it through a separate illegal scheme for years." In a March 2019 email obtained by the publication, Bill Starnes, a lead officer for N.C. SCV, told his colleagues to use Heritage PAC to help those running in North Carolina.
“We have men there,” Starnes wrote. “We can immediately provide them with funds to get the right folks in office.”
The report says NC Board of Elections Investigator Matthew Martucci has gathered evidence from current and former member of the N.C. SCV that could be used to recommend charges against Starnes and others. Experts say those involved have committed multiple misdemeanors and at least one felony in their PAC activity. Those charges could be "recommended by Martucci’s investigation, though additional approval within the Board of Elections required for indictments."
According to INDY, "Since its inception in early 2016, the Heritage PAC has allowed the neo-Confederate group to raise money from its underlings, shuffle it to supportive Republicans under a different name, and avoid paying taxes on the effort by exploiting nonprofit law. The Heritage PAC has given at least $28,500 to various Republican campaign committees since it launched, including $3,500 to Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler—who has for years ensured a booth for the N.C. SCV at the Raleigh State Fair—and $2,500 to both House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger."
Republican candidate for N.C. Governor Dan Forest is said to have received two checks from Heritage PAC during this election cycle that were returned. "Forest, who’s been North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor for nearly eight years, wasn’t a stranger to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. At least, he wasn’t by October 22, 2018, the second time the Heritage PAC reported a $1,500 contribution to his campaign, only to walk it back months later." No word from Forest about why he returned the money.
While the group hasn’t made any campaign contributions in 2020, N.C. SCV is being scrutinized for $5,000 paid in “attorney fees” on February 18 to Brian LiVecchi, a litigation attorney with Cumalander Adcock LLP. LiVecch.
The N.C. State Board of Elections wouldn't comment on Martucci's investigation, or if any charges were pending against those involved with N.C. SCV or Heritage PAC.