The U.S. Justice Department charged the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, Robert “Robin” Hayes in a corruption case.
Hayes worked with business executive Greg Lindberg to bribe state insurance commissioner Mike Causey.
Hayes served in the U.S. Congress from 1999 to 2009.
He led the state party between 2011 and 2013 and 2016. He announced yesterday that he would step down from the position.
The two men were charged with bribery and conspiracy and Hayes was also charged with lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The party has suffered a series of setbacks after several years in which it controlled the state government.
