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King Today
By the People, for the People
SBI Probes Kentucky Distillery Tour Involving NC Lawmakers and Lobbyists
Wake DA Lorrin Freeman requested the investigation into 'potential' lobbying and ethics violations.
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
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The State Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into a trip sponsored by a nonprofit with ties to a former powerful lawmaker that took state legislators and lobbyists on a distillery tour in western Kentucky in 2024. The investigation will specifically look for violations of the State Ethics Act and State Lobbying Act, according to Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman.
Why it matters
The trip, which may have involved lobbying and ethics violations, raises concerns about the influence of special interests and the need for transparency in the political process. The investigation could shed light on the relationship between lawmakers, lobbyists, and nonprofit organizations.
The details
The investigation follows a complaint filed by the nonprofit Carolina Forward, which claimed that the nonprofit Greater Carolina, which organized the trip, was a 'lobbying front' that provided gambling-industry officials and their lobbyists access to state lawmakers. The complaint also accused Greater Carolina of violating the state's ban on gifts to public officials and not disclosing its relationships with lobbyists involved in its events.
- The trip took place in April 2024.
- The complaint was filed by Carolina Forward in August 2024.
- The SBI investigation was launched in September 2024.
The players
Lorrin Freeman
The Wake County District Attorney who requested the SBI investigation.
Greater Carolina
A nonprofit with ties to a former powerful lawmaker that organized the distillery tour.
Carolina Forward
A left-leaning nonprofit political group in Carrboro that filed the complaint about the distillery tour.
Jason Saine
A former Republican state representative and chief House budget writer who acknowledged going on the distillery tour.
Kyle Hall
A Republican state representative who was on the distillery tour.
What they’re saying
“The primary focus is Greater Carolina and the bourbon trip to the Louisville area.”
— Lorrin Freeman, Wake County District Attorney (The News & Observer)
“It's very, very overdue, but I hope we get to the bottom of this issue.”
— Blair Reeves, Leader of Carolina Forward (The News & Observer)
What’s next
Freeman said she expected the SBI's investigation will take several more months to complete.
The takeaway
This investigation highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the relationship between lawmakers, lobbyists, and nonprofit organizations, especially when it comes to potential conflicts of interest and undue influence in the political process.
