Former Black aide set up fundraiser

Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 | 11:07 a.m.

Morris organized an Oct. 11 fundraiser at the construction company owned by a prominent Democratic donor, according to several people who attended the event.

She asked lobbyists and other guests to contribute different food for a "Taste of North Carolina" theme. She also signed in guests at the entrance, collected some contributions and knew whether some guests were on the RSVP list.

Julie Robinson, Black's communications director, said in an e-mail that Norris was finishing up work that she had started before it was decided that she would no longer be his political director.

"She was merely helping out at the Speaker's fundraiser last week in a volunteer capacity just like many others. You don't have to be a political director to sign people in and accept their donations," Robinson said.

Black had told the Charlotte Observer on Monday that he dismissed Norris from her job as an unpaid political director several weeks ago. He said he told her she had to pick between her job as a paid lobbyist and running his campaign.

The secretary of state's office is investigating whether Norris violated the state's lobbying laws by not registering as a lobbyist while she worked as a consultant for a company that is expected to compete for the contract to run the state's new lottery.

Norris has said she didn't disclose her work for Georgia-based Scientific Games to state officials because she only monitored lottery legislation for the company and didn't attempt to lobby Black or other lawmakers. Scientific Games fired Norris after her work for the company became public last month.