Trudy Wade’s Husband
From a complaint made by Democracy NC to the Board of Elections in June of 2004 regarding campaign contributions related to video poker:
Clarence Ray “Bucky” Jernigan – Jernigan made the front page of Triad newspapers in May 2004 for his arrest and subsequent confession that he placed video-poker machines in stores, profited from illegal cash payouts, and provided free attorneys for store clerks caught paying cash – as long as they denied he knew about the payouts. Jernigan’s wife (Trudy Wade) is a Guilford County commissioner; he is a Republican candidate for the state House, running against incumbent Arlie Culp (R-Randolph). Jernigan runs Heath Cigarette & Music Service, which the Randolph County Sheriff charges is at the center of “an organized gambling operation.” Jernigan originally denied any wrongdoing, telling a reporter, “I’d say that this company is run as straight as any in North Carolina.” But in a subsequent affidavit, Jernigan admitted his role in cash payoffs and said the industry’s lobbying effort is aimed at making them legal in exchange for paying a $1,000-per-machine licensing fee. “If we pay $1,000 to register a machine, then we want something out of it,” Jernigan said in the affidavit. Although he is a Republican, Jernigan gave Black’s campaign $500 in November 2002.
It is my understanding that the marriage was very brief and subsequently annulled. Still, this was just a few years ago. I can’t help but wonder if her obvious lack of judgment extends to her dealings on the Greensboro City Council. If she would marry a career criminal, what might she have also been up to with DH Griffin in the proposal to reopen the White Street Landfill?
Was there a financial settlement ending the marriage? Did Wade profit from illegal gambling? Given such a past, with whom is she consorting now?
Perhaps Jorge Cornell isn’t such a bad choice for District 5, after all.
Sheesh. I guess you’ve never been a middle aged woman needing some in a bad way, been swept off your feet by a romeo only to find out he’s a turd.
Happens everyday. What’s the point in dredging it up now besides impugning Wade’s character?
The comparison of Bucky Jernigan with Romeo is hilarious.
I’m attempting to impugn her judgment more than character. But if her character gets sullied in the process, that’s OK, too.
And no, I’ve never been a middle-aged woman. However, if I were, I’d like to think I could do better than go slumming in Randleman. After all, Sedgefield Country Club was right across the street. Come to think of it, given the reprobates who are members, that’s probably where she met him.
For the record, she did not go out for some; she married the guy and it is reasonable to assume that she had at least a passing knowledge of what he was up to. The fact that she overcame this and got elected is remarkable.