Created: 11/27/2009 8:33:43 AM 
Raleigh, NC -- A North Carolina prosecutor investigating potential state criminal charges involving former Gov. Mike Easley says he won't wrap up by February as he had thought.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday that Rowan County District Attorney Bill Kenerly is consulting federal authorities and expects he will take many months before reaching any conclusion.
Kenerly is a Republican and has been a district attorney for two decades. He was assigned to investigate if Easley violated election laws because Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby is a friend of the former two-term Democratic governor.
The special state prosecutor's delay means Easley will remain under a cloud well into next year. Easley has denied wrongdoing.
Associated Press
