Prosecutor wants NC billionaire to spend 14 years behind bars in bribery case

CHARLOTTE — A federal prosecutor said Wednesday that a billionaire Durham businessman should spend 14 years in prison for trying to bribe North Carolina’s top insurance regulator with large political contributions.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray laid out the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation against Greg Lindberg in a filing in federal court. Murray said that instead of showing contrition or remorse, the Durham businessman is unrepentant and blames others for his decision to offer a bribe to Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.

[READ MORE: Feds indict one of NC’s largest political donors, party leader and others]

“Despite the recorded evidence of his guilt, Lindberg has repeatedly attacked Commissioner Causey -- most recently suing him in federal court -- law enforcement, and the judicial process, by leveling meritless accusations that he was vindictively targeted,” Murray said in the statement.

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Lindberg, along with associate John Gray, was convicted by a federal court in May of two corruption charges.

Prosecutors have said Lindberg conspired to funnel money to Causey in exchange for special treatment. In particular, Lindberg sought to replace or work around a senior deputy commissioner within Causey’s office whose job it was to scrutinize Lindberg’s Global Bankers Insurance Group, according to court documents.

Causey, who wasn’t accused of wrongdoing, alerted authorities and cooperated in the case against Lindberg.

Murray’s recommendation called for a 10-year sentence for Gray.

Jury finds billionaire guilty of trying to bribe NC insurance commissioner Jury finds billionaire guilty of trying to bribe NC insurance commissioner

Cox Media Group