RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina state lawmakers are spending tens of thousands of dollars on private investigators examining a 2018 agreement between Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and utilities building the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
Citing public records, The Insider news service reported Eagle Intel Services has sent invoices to the General Assembly totaling nearly $60,000 through July for hundreds of hours of investigative and administrative work.
A legislative committee sought outside help to scrutinize a $58 million side deal designated for environmental mitigation, economic development and other projects. Cooper has said repeatedly the agreement was separate from state permitting.
Cooper's office says Republican legislators are "wasting taxpayer dollars on a fake investigation." A spokesman for Senate leader Phil Berger says legislative leaders believe the cost is reasonable. Eagle Intel is composed of federal agents.
