Four NC Lobbyists Indicted Over Kentucky Bourbon Trip with Lawmakers
A Wake County grand jury indicted four high-profile NC lobbyists for allegedly funding a Kentucky bourbon trip for Republican lawmakers in 2024.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — A Wake County Grand Jury has indicted four prominent North Carolina lobbyists on criminal charges related to a bourbon-tasting trip to Kentucky in April 2024 that included members of the General Assembly.
Kevin Wilkinson, president and founder of the Southern Group; Bo Heath, a partner with McGuireWoods Consulting; Doug Miskew, president and founder of Public Sector Group; and David Ferrell of MaynardNexsen face charges for allegedly providing gifts to Republican lawmakers through the Kentucky junket.
Allegations Against the Lobbyists
The indictments allege the lobbyists directed their employers to give gifts, either directly or through a nonprofit organization, to Republican lawmakers who participated in the trip. According to court documents, Ferrell and Heath “unlawfully and willfully” directed their respective principals, North Carolina Spirits Association and beverage giant Diageo, to provide money to a group called Greater Carolina.
This funding allegedly covered lawmakers’ travel expenses, hotel accommodations and meals “directly and indirectly,” according to the indictments. Miskew and Wilkinson are accused of directing their respective principals, Churchill Downs and the Sazerac Company of Louisville, Kentucky, to pay for events that directly benefited the legislators and other lobbyists and staff during the trip.
Legal Gray Areas Complicate Case
State law prohibits lobbyists and their principals from giving lawmakers gifts, but legislators have created exceptions for certain situations. These gray areas exist for events, travel or large groups of people, provided no “corrupt intent” can be proven, which could make prosecution challenging.
The legal flexibility lawmakers built into the statute may create hurdles for prosecutors seeking convictions in the case. The law requires demonstrating corrupt intent, which can be difficult to prove in court when the activities fall within these ambiguous zones.
Defendants Maintain Innocence
Wilkinson defended his actions in a statement to NC Newsline. “Integrity, accountability, and transparency are not just professional obligations for me, they are core values,” Wilkinson said. “I welcome a complete and thorough review of the circumstances, and I’m confident I will be cleared of any charges through a fair judicial process.”
Mark Bowles, McGuireWoods Consulting’s chairman, expressed support for Heath. “We fully support Bo,” Bowles said, “and are confident” Heath’s innocence will be proven. Bowles stated he believes Heath “did nothing wrong.”
The case represents a test of North Carolina’s lobbying laws and could set precedent for how gift restrictions are interpreted when lawmakers participate in industry-sponsored events.
