North Carolina State House Candidate Charles Taylor Tied to Illegal Gambling Property

A candidate running for state office in North Carolina has been linked to a commercial property housing an illegal video gambling parlor, raising fresh questions about candidate vetting and local law enforcement oversight. Sanford City Councilman Charles Taylor is on the ballot next month in his bid to represent District 51 in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Taylor—who is no relation to former long-serving North Carolina Congressman Charles Hart Taylor—is a Republican running to succeed retiring state Rep. John Sauls (R-District 51). Taylor is considered the front-runner in the heavily red district.