Goldman plays tapes related to scandal

RALEIGH

The controversy involves reports of an alleged romantic relationship with Chris Malone and a May 2010 burglary at her home. Goldman allegedly told investigators $130,000 in cash, coins and jewelry were taken.

At the time, Goldman allegedly told Cary police she suspected Malone was responsible for the crime. However, Goldman has repeatedly denied having a relationship with Malone, even though back then he reportedly told police the two were physically involved.

Goldman said since media reports surfaced about the incident, it has overshadowed the homestretch of her campaign for state auditor.

"My family has been slung through, slung at and pulled through the mud at this point and it's time to focus on some of the issues," Goldman said at her attorney's office in downtown Raleigh Monday.

She and her attorney played two audio recordings for the media in hopes of quashing any more controversy.

The first dated back to 2010. In the recording, Goldman read a letter to Malone in front of the former school board chair telling him to stop texting and emailing anything not having to do with school board issues.

Malone said in that recording that he thought everything was very professional and that anything to the contrary was unintended.

Ron Margiotta, who was serving as chairman of the school board back in 2010, told ABC11 in a previous interview that he suspected a romantic relationship between Goldman and Malone and that it was "common knowledge" to fellow board members.

Margiotta also said he thought the alleged relationship influenced a crucial vote on the Wake County School Board on a new student assignment plan.

At the time of the burglary incident, Goldman split from fellow Republicans on the board and derailed Republican plans for a new school choice plan.

However, Goldman's attorney said Monday that another recording made with Margiotta and another board member showed otherwise.

"When the meeting followed a few days later, those items were not in the plan and Ms. Goldman, protecting her constituents and also the folks in southeast Raleigh, said 'I'm not going to vote for that,' and voted for the resolution by the Democratic minority."

Goldman said the controversy was a "distraction" and that she has a proven track record.

"I don't miss meetings. I don't play games," she said Monday. "I stand strong and firm and I do what is right and what I've been elected to do."

Margiotta told ABC11 Monday afternoon that he never knew any of those conversations were being recorded and never would have participated in them if he knew. He also called Goldman unstable and paranoid. As of noon, Malone had not returned calls for comment.

Political watchers have told ABC11 they expect the Goldman and Malone campaigns for higher office to be affected by the allegations. Malone is currently running for a state House seat.

Even so, their seats on the school board are safe through 2013.

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