Keller Family Behind Attack Signs

Cover-Up Effort Fails The e-Lee Dispatch Stands behind its assertion as to those responsible for the "anonymous" signs. Those assertions are based on information independent of the cover up. The details supplied in this story related to the attempted cover up give every appearance of reliability. Earlier contacts with individuals with key facts assures more accurate information, such as ordering and shipping information, not available to some other sources and diminishes the risk that this information may be compromised. As usual, it is the cover-up rather than the original offenses that carry the greatest penalties and likelihood of conviction. The is no question, however, that Mr. Thomas, like the public, is a victim in this matter as long as he cooperates in the investigation into matters that could be Class F Felonies.

Shortly before 5 pm today, an individual presented the Lee County Board of Elections with a certification (see the form) that Steven W. Thomas had purchased $2842.48 of signs attacking Herb Hincks in his race for county commission. By 5:39 the Sanford Herald had posted a news update on their website reporting that the form had been signed. By 7:30 Thomas had authorized the e-Lee Dispatch to say, "I was taken advantage of. I did not realize the significance of what I was signing. I thought I was just helping a friend." Just prior to that, Mr. Thomas had called Herb Hincks to apologize for signing the form. Thomas told Hincks that he had appreciated what Hincks had done in the past on the board of commissioners and had not realized that this was the material directed at Hincks. Hincks commented, "This person has been been used and betrayed by people he thought were his friends. Unfortunately some people are willing to do anything to gain political power." As promised earlier, the e-Lee Dispatch had expected to announce that, according to information shared with third parties by Oscar Keller, the signs were the work of James C. Kelly and another member of the Keller family. Kelly is anxious to elected chair of the Board in order to control the board as "political heir" to Sion Kelly, his paternal grandfather (now deceased) and Oscar Keller, his maternal grandfather, and long time Lee County political figure. To do so he has been aggressively pushing a single shot campaign for Jerry Lemmond. There was, however, a problem with the release of the story. It was possible, even likely, that Jamie Kelly and cronies already had in mind to find someone to falsify a report to the Board of Elections and discredit any reports linking Kelly to the signs. A careful review of recent posts clearly signal that the likely person to be named was Jamie Kelly. Unfortunately, for Jamie Kelly and the others involved, they picked an individual who was indeed loyal but also honest. While Thomas would disclose no information about who had approached him, other sources have identified an individual who was both involved in the placement of the signs and in persuading Thomas to sign the form. Due to previous connections with that individual that could make it appear the story had old grievances, the e-Lee Dispatch will allow that information to become public through other sources including possible criminal investigations. The signs were ordered from the Victory Store, a mail order sign store in Davenport, Iowa. According to the store's accounting department, the signs were ordered 9/15/ 2008 by James C. Kelly of Kelly-Marcom, charged to a credit card for $2842.45, and shipped to Kelly at 131 Charlotte Avenue, Sanford, NC. The falsified form claims the signs were ordered 10/13/08. After a discussion with a Herald Reporter, Thomas's story began to break down. Meanwhile, the e-Lee Dispatch was verifying purchase and shipping information. In three conversations with the e-Lee Dispatch, Thomas was angry, hurt, and distraught. He was unaware that he could face legal charges. "I just printed my name on the form and someone else signed it." The falsified form begins with the words, "under penalty of perjury I certify." The form was dated on Monday, October 13, but not filed until October 23 shortly before 5 PM. The signs were a key effort to ensure the re-election of Jerry Lemmond, considered to be a sure vote for Kelly for the chairmanship. Lemmond, who has been a staunch ally of Kelly, said tonight that he had "no knowledge of it whatsoever and first was aware of the signs returning from church on Sunday." The other part of the effort has been to encourage the busing of supporters who would "single shot" vote for Lemmond. ( See Lemmond with buses) What affect it will have on his campaign, if any, remains to be seen.