Review of cases handled by former N Carolina DA in progress

WENTWORTH (AP) Authorities will review 16 cases handled by a North Carolina prosecutor who left office after pleading guilty to charges involving a deal with another district attorney and their wives.

The interim district attorney for Rockingham County, Tom Keith, has ordered a review of 16 cases that former District Attorney Craig Blitzer handled from start to finish.

Keith ordered the review after finding problems with Blitzer’s convictions in a homicide case and a prostitution ring. The next step is to determine if any of the 16 cases were mishandled.

Blitzer pleaded guilty in July to a misdemeanor charge of failure to discharge the duties of his office. Authorities say Blitzer and another district attorney created a scheme to get around a state restriction on hiring spouses.