Michael F. Easley was elected
North Carolina's Attorney General in 1992. He was easily re-elected to the
state's top law enforcement position in 1996, receiving nearly 60% of ballots
cast and leading the ticket as the state's top vote-getter.
As Attorney General, Mike Easley has successfully
tackled some of the state's toughest challenges. His accomplishments include
leading the fight to remove the state's prison cap, cracking down on
environmental criminals, shutting down irresponsible hog farms that refused to
comply with environmental safeguards, and creating the Citizens' Rights Division
to combat hate crimes, child abuse, elder abuse and to promote victims'
rights.
Mike Easley headed efforts to reach a national tobacco
settlement, making sure that North Carolina's interests were protected. He
played a pivotal role in brokering a $206 billion deal - the largest financial
recovery in history - and brought nearly $5 billion in revenue to North Carolina
to protect farmers, communities and the public health.
As District Attorney for the 13th Judicial District
in Brunswick, Bladen, Columbus counties, Mike Easley earned a reputation for
creating innovative programs and finding new solutions to problems. As District
Attorney, Easley developed the first rape and sexual abuse program, as well as
the first child abuse counseling program operated out of a District Attorney's
office. He also helped the General Assembly create investigative grand juries,
which he used to prosecute drug traffickers. Easley also helped to create the
Fair Treatment to Victims Act.
Mike Easley was born March 23, 1950 in Nash County.
He is the second of seven children, and grew up on a farm in Rocky Mount. After
graduating from Rocky Mount High School in 1968, Easley received his B.A. in
Political Science, with honors, from the University of North Carolina in 1972.
He earned his law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law in
1976, graduating cum laude.
Easley is an avid hunter, sailor and accomplished
woodworker. Easley and his wife, Mary, have one child, Michael, Jr., age
15.
