What happened
The Assembly reported on 12 November 2026 that a Wake County grand jury indicted former North Carolina state Rep. Jason Saine, now a registered lobbyist, that week on two felony counts of embezzlement of more than $100,000 and two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense. The charges relate to Greater Carolina, a conservative advocacy group. The indictment accuses Saine of aiding and abetting David Coble, listed as the group's treasurer, who faces the same charges plus one more count of embezzlement under $100,000. Prosecutors allege that Saine helped Coble solicit donations, but the money was used for Coble's and others' personal benefit rather than for the group's stated purpose. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman brought the charges. Saine denied any wrongdoing, saying he did not aid and abet a crime and that an independent board made the group's spending decisions. The charges are allegations.
How the scam works
A charge, an arraignment, a witness's testimony or a prosecutor's accusation is not a finding of guilt. People and companies named in these reports are accused, charged or, where the source says so, convicted or sentenced, and they are presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise. Do not treat a news report or a press release as a substitute for a court judgment. If you think you were affected by the same kind of scheme, keep records and report them to the investigating agency named in the source, or to your local police and your bank.
Source
Source: https://x.com/mlhewlett/status/2120932332278616218 (@mlhewlett, Nov 12, 2026, 12:30 PM ET); https://www.theassemblync.com/news/politics/justice/former-gop-lawmaker-saine-charged-embezzlement/ (The Assembly, 12 Nov 2026)
