R. C. Soles Jr.
Robert Charles Soles Jr. (born December 17, 1934) was a Democratic member of the North Carolina Senate, representing the 8th district from 1977 to 2011. His district included Brunswick, Columbus and Pender counties. From 1969 to 1976, Soles served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Republican Bill Rabon now holds the seat that Soles held for over three decades; it had not been held by a Republican since 1869.[1]
R.C. Soles Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the North Carolina Senate | |
| In office January 1, 1977 – January 1, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Edd Nye |
| Succeeded by | Bill Rabon |
| Constituency | 11th District (1977-1983) 18th District (1983-2003) 8th District (2003-2011) |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office January 1, 1969 – January 1, 1977 | |
| Preceded by | Odell Williamson Clyde Moore Collier |
| Succeeded by | Edd Nye George Ronald Taylor |
| Constituency | 13th District (1969-1973) 19th District (1973-1977) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 17, 1934 Tabor City, North Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Tabor City, North Carolina |
| Alma mater | Wake Forest University (BA) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Soles was the chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
Career
He is a practicing attorney at Soles, Phipps, Ray, and Prince Law Firm. In 2006, the N.C. Bar Association inducted him into the General Practice Hall of Fame. At one point, the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research named him the 8th most effective member of the legislature.
Soles is the founding president of the Southeastern Community College Foundation, a former member of the Governor's Crime Commission, and former board member of the Columbus County Community Foundation and Opera Company of North Carolina.
Soles graduated with a B.A. from Wake Forest University and received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has never married.
1980s criminal investigations
Soles was indicted in 1983 for conspiracy, vote buying, perjury, and aiding and abetting bribery. A judge dismissed three of the charges and Soles was acquitted of aiding and abetting Columbus County Commissioner Edward Walton Williamson in obtaining payoffs from undercover FBI agents.[2]
Assault conviction
On December 30, 2009, Soles (at the time, the longest-serving legislator in the state) announced he would not seek re-election in 2010. This came after an August, 2009 incident in which he shot a young man and former legal client in the leg who was allegedly trying to kick in Soles' front door.
In another incident, Soles pepper sprayed a young man.
Soles' lawyer, Joseph Cheshire, said the shooting was self-defense. Cheshire and Soles have said that Soles has been generous to former clients in hoping to ease them back to a law-abiding life. Soles has denied having sexual relations with any of the young men.[3] Soles was indicted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury on 7 January 2010.[4] Soles pleaded guilty in 2010 to assault with a deadly weapon and was fined $1,000.[5]
Sexual abuse allegations
In 2009 allegations from several men were published claiming that Soles sexually abused them when they were minors.[6]
The allegations resurfaced in June 2011, with three men having publicly accused Soles of sexual abuse.[7]
References
- Gannon, Patrick. 10 questions with State Senator-elect Bill Rabon, Wilmington StarNews, November 21, 2010.
- Vance, Merton. Judge Relieves Soles of 3 Charges; one left, Wilmington Morning Star, August 9, 1983.
- http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/1151324.html%5B%5D
- News & Observer: Soles indicted Archived 2012-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
- Man linked to Soles charged with jury tampering | StarNewsOnline.com
- Man Alleges Sexual Assault By Soles
- R.C. Soles accused of taking advantage of troubled teens; ex-senator denies allegations | StarNewsOnline.com
External links
- North Carolina General Assembly – Senator R.C. Soles Jr. Official NC Senate Website
- Project Vote Smart – Senator R.C. Soles Jr. (NC) profile
- Our Campaigns – Senator R.C. Soles Jr. (NC) profile
- Follow the Money – R.C. Soles Jr.
| North Carolina House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Odell Williamson Clyde Moore Collier |
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 13th district 1969–1973 Served alongside: Arthur W. Williamson, Thomas Joseph Harrelson, Jr. |
Succeeded by William Thomas Watkins James Edward Ramsey Bobby Wayne Rogers |
| Preceded by Samuel Henry Johnson Howard Fabing Twiggs Robert L. Farrmer Robert W. Wynne |
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 19th district 1973–1977 Served alongside: James Collins Green, Charles Graham Tart, Ottis Richard Wright, Jr. |
Succeeded by Edd Nye George Ronald Taylor |
| North Carolina Senate | ||
| Preceded by Edd Nye |
Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 11th district 1977–1983 |
Succeeded by James Davis Speed |
| Preceded by Cary D. Allred |
Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 18th district 1983–2003 |
Succeeded by Wib Gulley |
| Preceded by John H. Kerr III |
Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 8th district 2003–2011 |
Succeeded by Bill Rabon |