RALEIGH (AP) — The president of a conservative-leaning think tank has been named to the North Carolina State Ethics Commission.
Gov. Pat McCrory’s office confirmed Wednesday that Civitas Institute head Francis De Luca was appointed to the panel at Senate leader Phil Berger’s recommendation. Civitas says De Luca will fill the unexpired term of former State Auditor Les Merritt through 2016.
De Luca is a former Marine Corps officer. The institute has been heavily involved in public policy debates, while its political advocacy arm has criticized Democratic officials and supported conservative candidates.
The institute has received funds from a foundation operated by the family of Republican activist Art Pope, now McCrory’s state budget director.
Merritt resigned from the commission in September to address potential conflict with his contractor’s job with the state.