NC House Speaker names committee to investigate Brockman, child sex charges

North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall on Friday announced a bipartisan team of legislators to investigate and potentially remove Democratic state Rep. Cecil Brockman, who faces charges of sexual offenses with a child.

Hall, R-Caldwell, is among several state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle — including Democratic Gov. Josh Stein — who called on Brockman to resign shortly after he was charged on Oct. 8. Brockman faces two counts of statutory sex offense with a child and two additional counts of indecent liberties with a child. Brockman has not spoken publicly about the charges. He and his lawyer haven’t responded to multiple requests for comment.

After nearly two weeks passed — and Brockman had not resigned — Hall announced his intention to create a committee to review Brockman’s status as a legislator, adding that he wanted to consult with House minority leader Robert Reives before naming committee members at a later date.

Hall’s office on Friday announced the names of the members who will serve on the committee:

• Rep. John Bell, Co-Chair (R-Wayne)
• Rep. Brenden Jones, Co-Chair (R-Columbus)
• Rep. Robert Reives, Co-Chair (D-Chatham)
• Rep. Julia Howard (R-Davie)
• Rep. Charles Miller (R-Brunswick)
• Rep. Mike Schietzelt (R-Wake)
• Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan)
• Rep. Vernetta Alston (D-Durham)
• Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg)
• Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg)
• Rep. Brandon Lofton (D-Mecklenburg)
• Rep. Shelly Willingham (D-Edgecombe)

Hall’s move is supported by Anderson Clayton, who is chair of the state Democratic Party, and Kathy Kirkpatrick, chair of the Guilford County Democratic Party. Clayton and Kirkpatrick have each called on legislators to remove Brockman so that High Point can have representation in the state House.

Brockman, 41, has represented High Point for a decade but missed several recent votes while in police custody. The House voted last week on new congressional maps, as well as proposals to fund Medicaid and boost pay for some employees.

Brockman’s presence wouldn’t have changed the outcome of those votes. However, a vacant Democrat-controlled seat makes it easier for the Republican-controlled House to override Stein’s vetoes.

Stein has vetoed bills that would loosen North Carolina’s gun laws and eliminate diversity policies in state agencies, among other things. Legislators can override vetoes with 60% support of the chamber. Republicans hold a veto-proof majority in the state Senate but not in the state House of Representatives, where the GOP is one seat short.

If Brockman remains out and all other House members are present, Republicans would need just one Democrat to vote with the GOP, or to be absent from the vote, to override Stein's vetoes — provided all Republicans voted together in favor of the override. But lawmakers don’t expect to return to Raleigh for key votes this year.

If Brockman resigns or if he is removed, the governor would be required by state law to appoint a replacement who is recommended by members of the Guilford County Democratic Party.

It’s rare — but not unprecedented — for legislators to remove a colleague from the General Assembly.

The state House in 2008 voted 109-5 to remove Wilmington Democratic Rep. Thomas Wright from office after he was charged with using campaign funds for personal purchases and abusing his political power to get a loan. Hall has said he hopes this year’s committee will examine Brockman in the same manner that legislators investigated and removed Wright nearly 20 years ago.

One key difference between the legislature’s reviews of Wright and Brockman: the defendant’s availability. In the 2008 case, Wright appeared at hearings in person to defend himself. Brockman’s next court appearance is Monday.