The DOJ reopened the complaint but sent it to the specialist.
Shje accepted Anna’s screenshot from apartments.com, where she claimed to be the owner and manager, as proof that it was still a private matter — which, honestly, is a joke. I responded and provided the deed and other evidence, informing them that something was seriously wrong with the investigation. I also notified them that I would be reaching out to the press and that the mishandling could reflect poorly on Josh Stein, who at the time was running for governor and is now the current governor.
The DOJ has since used this single email — and only this email — in the contested case hearing against the NCHRC to argue that they didn’t represent me as a client and to prejudice the tribunal by portraying me as combative and threatening.
But again, I am absolutely allowed to contact the press. I did, but no one responded.
My purpose was simply to put them on notice: mishandling an investigation shows that the AG’s Office either isn’t doing its job or is vulnerable to being influenced by local business owners.
NC GS § 75‑9. Duty of Attorney General to investigate.
The Attorney General of the State of North Carolina shall have power, and it shall be his duty, to investigate, from time to time, the affairs of all corporations or persons doing business in this State, which are or may be embraced within the meaning of the statutes of this State defining and denouncing trusts and combinations against trade and commerce, or which he shall be of opinion are so embraced, and all other corporations or persons in North Carolina
doing business in violation of law; and all other corporations of every character engaged in this State in the business of transporting property or passengers, or transmitting messages, and all other public service corporations of any kind or nature whatever which are doing business in the State for hire. Such investigation shall be with a view of ascertaining whether the law or any rule of the Utilities Commission or Commission of Banks [Commissioner of Banks] is
being or has been violated by any such corporation, officers or agents or employees thereof, and if so, in what respect, with the purpose of acquiring such information as may be necessary to enable him to prosecute any such corporation, its agents, officers and employees for crime, or prosecute civil actions against them if he discovers they are liable and should be prosecuted.
NC GS § 75‑1.1. Methods of competition, acts and practices regulated; legislative policy.
(a) Unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, are declared unlawful.
(b) For purposes of this section, “commerce” includes all business activities, however denominated, but does not include professional services rendered by a member of a learned profession.
NC GS § 14‑225. False reports to law enforcement agencies or officers.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any person who shall willfully make or cause to be made to a law enforcement agency or officer any false, deliberately misleading or unfounded report, for the purpose of interfering with the operation of a law enforcement agency, or to hinder or obstruct any law enforcement officer in the performance of his duty, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.