State Rep. Thomas Wright

Citing the evidence that led state elections officials to ask prosecutors to investigate Wright's campaign finances, the pair followed Monday's call from House Speaker Joe Hackney for his fellow Democrat to leave office. Hackney has also asked the Legislative Ethics Committee to investigate the Wright's actions.

"We have documentary evidence that's already out there that indicates illegal activity," Easley said. "The representative needs to move on."

The State Board of Elections recommended last week that prosecutors pursue criminal charges against Wright, who investigators believe illegally spent more than $240,000 in campaign donations on personal expenses. At a hearing before the board, Wright declined to testify, asserting his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination.

"I think the members by and large feel that he should not be here and that's the way I feel," Hackney said Monday. "He should not be here. It's time for him to resign."

Wright, who has represented New Hanover County in the House since 1993 and not been charged with any crimes, has steadfastly maintained he has no plans to step down. "Yes, I'll be back and I'll be voting and I'll be doing my job," Wright said Monday night. He did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday.

Wright got some support Tuesday from the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, which said in a statement that the calls for Wright's resignation are premature. The caucus asked state leaders "to allow the appropriate processes to run their course, rather than rushing to judgment."

"Failing to do so does not afford Representative Wright due process, and the same rights afforded others under the basic tenets of our constitution," the caucus said.

Wright was a strong supporter of former House Speaker Jim Black, who resigned last year after the elections board referred his case to prosecutors. Black, D-Mecklenburg, agreed to be punished in February on charges of obstruction of justice and offering a bribe.

Easley didn't call on Black to resign, but said Tuesday that Wright's case is different because of the clear evidence against him.

"Here you've got bank records and a campaign account, and either they match up or they don't. And they don't," Easley said. "It's a different circumstance."

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