IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. -- NC's GOP Chairman Robin Hayes has been indicted on federal bribery and fraud charges.

  • NCGOP's Chairman Robin Hayes is facing federal bribery and fraud charges
  • Three other men are charged for allegedly devising a scheme to defraud NC citizens of the honest services of the Commissioner through bribery
  • FBI agents interviewed Hayes about his involvement with the alleged improper campaign contributions around Aug. 28, 2018 and he denied directing funds

According to court documents, Hayes faces one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and aiding and abetting and three counts of false statements.

Hayes' attorney released a statement regarding the charges:

Robin Hayes steadfastly denies the allegations made against him in this case. After a long and distinguished career in public service at the local, state, and federal levels, Robin volunteered his time helping to support the party and candidates for office in North Carolina. We look forward to a swift conclusion to this matter, and to clearing his name.

These charges are not related to the District 9 investigation. 

Three others have been indicted as well: Greg Lindberg, John Palermo, and John Gray. All three are with Eli Global, Lindberg's company based in Durham. Lindberg has been a big donor to both the state Republican and Democratic parties in recent election cycles. 

Dr. Eric Heberling, a University of North Carolina Charlotte professor, broke down the charges.

“The donor wanted specific people in the department of insurance overseeing his business removed and replaced with somebody else,” he said. "according to the indictment, robin hayes essentially functioned as the middle man here."

"The indictment unsealed today outlines a brazen bribery scheme in which Greg Lindberg and his coconspirators allegedly offered hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions in exchange for official action that would benefit Lindberg’s business interests,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski.

Allegations in the indictment state that from April 2017 to August 2018, the four men devised a scheme to defraud NC citizens of the honest services of the Commissioner through bribery. The indictment alleges that the four used independent expenditure accounts and improper campaign contributions for the purpose of causing the Commissioner to take official action favorable to Lindberg’s company, GBIG.

FBI agents interviewed Hayes about his involvement with the alleged improper campaign contributions around Aug. 28, 2018. He reportedly denied directing funds at Lindberg's request and about having conversations with the Commissioner about Lindberg or Gray. 

On Tuesday afternoon, the NCGOP released the following statement concerning the case:

View the full indictment below: