In a significant legal development, a federal jury has found Greg Lindberg, formerly in control of two life insurance companies and multiple other businesses, along with his co-defendant John Gray, guilty of attempting to bribe the North Carolina insurance commissioner in 2018.
This marks the second trial on bribery charges for Lindberg and Gray, following an appeals court decision in 2022 to overturn their initial conviction. Both individuals face the possibility of a maximum 30-year sentence in federal prison, in addition to fines.
Based in Durham, Lindberg, once known as a prominent campaign donor and multi-millionaire, is also entangled in lawsuits concerning his business dealings. Furthermore, he faces a separate criminal trial on fraud charges. In 2023, a grand jury indicted Lindberg and two associates for allegedly concealing the financial condition and investments of his insurance companies while diverting millions of dollars from the carriers. This trial was postponed pending the outcome of the bribery re-trial.
U.S. Attorney Dena King characterized the defendants’ actions as part of an elaborate scheme involving substantial campaign contributions to an elected official in exchange for favorable treatment. “This was not a lapse in judgment,” King emphasized, “It was a calculated bribery attempt and a blatant violation of federal law.”
The investigation into Lindberg’s activities was initiated by Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey after Lindberg approached him about relaxing oversight on his insurance companies. Causey, cooperating with the FBI, wore a concealed recording device during multiple meetings with Lindberg and Gray in 2017 and 2018.
In response to the jury’s verdict, Causey stated, “I believe the jury made the correct decision in light of the evidence presented.” He criticized Lindberg’s attempts to influence regulators and lawmakers, likening them to demanding a custom order at a fast-food restaurant.
According to court documents and prosecutors, Lindberg promised Causey millions in anonymous campaign contributions in exchange for removing the state’s senior deputy commissioner from overseeing Lindberg’s insurance companies. To obfuscate the bribery scheme, corporate entities and independent expenditure committees were established to support Causey’s reelection campaign, funded by Lindberg to the tune of $1.5 million. Additionally, at Lindberg’s and Gray’s direction, funds previously contributed to the North Carolina Republican party were redirected to further support Causey’s campaign.
Lindberg and Gray were initially convicted of bribery charges in 2020 but were granted a new trial by an appeals court due to errors in jury instructions. In the retrial, held in Charlotte, they were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert DeWitt condemned Lindberg and Gray for their actions, stating, “Greg Lindberg and John Gray knowingly ignored the difference between legal political donations and felonious bribery.”
Commissioner Causey expressed gratitude to prosecutors and FBI agents for their dedication to the case.
