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RALEIGH – Ruffin Poole, one of former Gov. Mike Easley's top aides, decided to plead the fifth Thursday before the North Carolina Board of Elections. Poole was called in to testify about the former governor's possible campaign violations.

Poole didn't answer any of the board's questions. Back in October, he refused to testify in the case and brought the issue to court. He initially won, but the board won an appeal, leading to Thursday's hearing.

The board has already fined the Easley campaign $100,000 and sent their findings on to the Rowan County district attorney to investigate any possible criminal wrongdoings.

A federal grand jury investigation is also looking into whether Easley broke any laws.