From the Associated Press Monday June 1 2009
Questions of influence peddling abound.

Companies that worked closely with the Easley administration — including Progress Energy Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield and AT&T Corp. — gave at least $150,000 to Easley’s speakers series while her husband was in office. Some reported donating money to sponsor a speech by former President Bill Clinton in February, two weeks after Mike Easley left office, and said the former first lady’s role was not a factor.

Did the money buy access and/or favors? You be the judge.  Progress Energy and Electricities are joint owners of Nuclear Power Plants and those plants sell wholesale power to the 32 municipalities covered under NCEMPA. 

Read the whole article here:
News & Observer-Raleigh NC