Former N.C. governor pleas to campaign violation

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - Former North Carolina Mike Easley on Tuesday agreed in court to a plea deal settling accusations he violated campaign finance law, bringing to a close nearly two years of investigations into the Democrat's dealings in office.

Easley, who served as governor from 2001 to 2009, was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine under a plea arrangement.

"The buck has to stop somewhere, and it stops with me. I take responsibility for what occurred," Easley said before state Superior Court Judge Osmond Smith.

The former governor entered his plea to the charge of recording a false campaign document.

Under the deal, he entered a so-called Alford plea, under which defendants do not admit guilt but acknowledge there is enough evidence to be convicted of a crime. The plea does render him a convicted felon.

The charge stemmed from a helicopter flight Easley took in 2006 with a longtime supporter that was valued at $1,600. The flight was not listed on campaign disclosure forms as required.

Easley has been the subject of investigations into such matters as his travels while in office, vehicles he used, a job his wife held at a state university, his interest in a land development project and his use of campaign funds.

His plea puts to rest the federal and state investigations, prosecutors said in court.

Last year, the state Board of Elections fined Easley's campaign $100,000 for failing to report numerous donated flights.

(Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst; Editing by Jerry Norton)