Former state lawmaker attempting to have theft case dismissed

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GREENVILLE (AP) — A former North Carolina lawmaker convicted on a dozen federal counts is trying to get his case dismissed.

WRAL in Raleigh reports attorneys for former Rep. Stephen LaRoque allege prosecutors improperly extended the term of the grand jury that indicted him.

Defense attorneys want information about the grand jury, such as its start and end dates and any documentation from federal prosecutors that would have extended its 18-month term. The attorneys argue that a superseding indictment handed up in April 2013 came more than 18 months after the grand jury started issuing subpoenas in the case in August 2011.

LaRoque was convicted on 10 counts involving theft from a non-profit receiving federal funds, money laundering and making false statements. A retrial scheduled for February involves the remaining two charges.