Former NC lawmaker, facing criminal charges, surrenders to authorities

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A longtime North Carolina lawmaker turned himself in to authorities Wednesday after he was indicted Monday.

Channel 9 has been covering the case against former North Carolina Rep. Rodney Moore for months.

[PAST COVERAGE: State House representative accused of pocketing $140K in campaign contributions]

The case was first brought by state ethics officials. They accused him of failing to disclose more than $141,000 in receipts and expenditures from his campaign money.

On Monday, Mecklenburg County’s grand jury indicted him on nine counts of making false statements.

Eyewitness News anchor Allison Latos asked Moore Wednesday if he had anything to say about the allegations.

“I'm going to let my attorney speak for me,” Moore said. “We respect the process.”

Eyewitness News anchor Allison Latos asked Moore Wednesday if he had anything to say about the allegations.

“I'm going to let my attorney speak for me,” Moore said. “We respect the process.”

State officials said the money was potentially used for gas, personal expenses and $25,000 in cash.

“I can tell you, in my 20 years of representing people, sometimes the press doesn't have it quite right,” defense attorney Ken Snow said. “Sometimes the allegations are not quite accurate.”

Moore spent four terms representing North Carolina’s 99th District before losing his seat last year.

Latos asked what Moore had to say to the voters who elected him.

“He (Moore) wants his constituents to know he has fought hard for them all these years, and he will continue to do so,” Snow said. “But, he definitely wants them to know he is still the same person they knew then -- he is now.”

Moore turned himself in because he is prepared to fight the allegations, Snow told Latos.

“When we spoke with you in October of last year, you denied the allegations. Is that still where you stand?” Latos asked.

“That is still our position,” Snow replied.

Snow they are looking forward to sharing Moore’s side of the story in court.

Shortly after he was booked into jail, Moore was released on his own recognizance, which means he was allowed out without posting bail.

News of his indictment surprised his former colleague, Rep. Kelly Alexander.

“I was shocked,” Alexander said. “The extent of the allegations (is) very surprising to me.”

Alexander said his personal jury is still out on his former colleague, and he would like to hear more information.

“Everyone has a presumption of innocence,” Alexander said. “Just because you have been indicted, doesn't mean you're guilty.”

Cox Media Group