WAIT AND SEE -- INVESTIGATION SHOULD DECIDE BALLANCE'S FATE

Pitt County's citizens who live in the 1st Congressional District will
begin a new year with a shadow of doubt over their representation in
Washington.

A federal grand jury is considering testimony from an FBI and U.S.
Attorney's Office investigation into a now defunct drug and alcohol
counseling program funded by state money and begun by U.S. Rep. Frank
Ballance, a Democrat from Warrenton. In October, a state audit identified
$325,000 in questionable expenses by the John A. Hyman Foundation and found
the organization riddled with conflicts of interest.

The audit confirmed poor practices, inattention to records and lack of
oversight at the foundation. It determined funds had been disbursed
inappropriately to Ballance's relatives and longtime friends, including
paying his daughter Valerie $5,000 for work that was not performed. It
found Ballance himself made decisions on which churches and groups received
grants from the foundation, and that he signed the checks.

Ballance responded by saying errors had been made, but he believed "public
monies have always been used for the public good for which they were
authorized."

Along with the obvious issues of poor management at the Hyman Foundation,
the audit's findings raise clear questions of propriety about Ballance's
relationship with the organization. It is appropriate and important that a
thorough and objective inquiry probe those questions and determine whether
wrongdoing has occurred.

The state Republican party chair has called for Ballance's resignation,
saying he used the organization as a slush fund. Yet that would seem premature.

Ballance's conduct in this instance reflects directly on his judgment and
actions as an elected official representing the public. He is no newcomer
to the expectations of propriety the public arena demands, having served 18
years in the state Legislature, including four in the House and 14 in the
Senate.

If wrongdoing is found, he should be prepared to step down. That is the
only course that serves the public good.

In the meantime, his constituents will await the findings of the
investigations into his actions.