Through the evidence, prosecutors established that Lindberg and Gray gave, offered, and promised the Commissioner millions of dollars in campaign contributions and other things of value. In exchange, they asked the Insurance Commissioner to remove the NCDOI Senior Deputy Commissioner, who was responsible for overseeing regulation and the periodic examination of GBIG.
To hide the bribery scheme, Lindberg directed the setting up of two corporate entities to form an independent expenditure committee with the purpose of supporting the re-election of the Insurance Commissioner. Lindberg funded the entities with $1.5 million, the amount he promised during his telephone conversations, and in-person meetings with the Insurance Commissioner.
The Insurance Commissioner reported his concerns with the FBI regarding Lindberg and Gray’s political contributions and their other requests. He cooperated with the federal investigation.
Greed drives defendants to devise a bribery scheme
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray for the Western District of North Carolina, said, “Lindberg and his accomplices, driven by greed, devised an extensive political bribery scheme to illegally funnel millions of dollars to an elected official for the benefit of Lindberg’s business interests. To this day, Lindberg and Gray remain unremorseful and refuse to accept responsibility for their criminal actions. The severity of their brazen conduct is reflected in the Court’s sentence.”
