WASHINGTON, N.C. (WITN) – One of the most watched races in November’s election will be between Democratic former NC Governor Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley for U.S. Senate.
That heightened focus has recently drawn attention to Whatley’s connection to a former Washington police officer who pled guilty in Beaufort County back in 2000 to indecent liberties with a child.
Our WITN First Alert Investigates team dug into the accusations. Here’s what we found.
As the November election draws closer, all candidates are under scrutiny.
One race that’s drawing a lot of attention is the battle for a U.S. Senate seat between Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley.
Cooper, a former North Carolina governor whose victory would help democrats try to take back control of the Senate.
Whatley was most recently the chairman of the Republican National Committee. A victory would help Republicans as they try to hold onto the majority.
Both Cooper’s campaign and the state’s Democratic party are raising concerns about Whatley’s association with Harvey West, Jr., a convicted sex offender who used to work as a police officer with the City of Washington and who many years later was appointed multiple times to positions within the NCGOP.
West pleaded guilty in 2000 to five counts of taking indecent liberties with children.
He was required to register as a sex offender when he was released from prison in 2006 but has since petitioned to no longer register.
On his Facebook page, West has posted a picture of himself with Whatley.
Our WITN First Alert Investigates Team wanted to find out exactly how these two men’s paths have crossed—as Whatley told WITN’s Hailey Hollinger at an event in June that he did not appoint West.
So, what’s the truth?
While West would not agree to interview with WITN, he did send his resume which details his involvement in the NCGOP. It shows he’s spent a lot of time on the plan of organization committee, including in 2021.
Michael Whatley was chairman at that time.
According to the plan of organization committee rules, the chairman appoints all members, which would mean Whatley appointed West to that position.
And when we reached out for direct confirmation of that appointment, West only re-sent a statement that he’d sent to WITN prior to that, which did not directly address the question.
In that statement, West says, in part, “I have never had a personal relationship with Chairman Whatley. Our interactions have been limited to public political events and official party meetings. I respect him, and it is painful to see my 27-year-old past used to undermine his work and reputation.
Just last month, the NCGOP’s Plan of Organization committee passed a resolution specifically banning anyone convicted of a felony involving a crime of violence, sexual abuse or child abuse from being appointed to or holding a party office.
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