NC court stays order blocking Easley aide subpoena

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Court of Appeals has blocked an order that prevented the State Board of Elections this week from forcing an ex-aide to former Gov. Mike Easley to testify.

The appeals court issued Friday a stay on a Wake County judge's order that quashed the board's subpoena of Ruffin Poole, Easley's former legal counsel.

Poole filed a petition Monday asking a judge to halt the subpoena from being enforced as the board investigated Easley's campaign and the state Democratic Party. The judge agreed but put reasons under seal.

It wasn't clear whether Poole will appeal to the state Supreme Court. The board adjourned its hearing Friday but chairman Larry Leake said it still wants to talk to him under oath.

___

Oct 30, 2009 - 09:45 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2009, The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.