Taylor files defamation lawsuit over false gambling and ethics accusations

Taylor Files Defamation Lawsuit Over False Gambling and Ethics Accusations

SANFORD, NC – North Carolina House candidate Charles Taylor filed a defamation lawsuit Tuesday against Sandhills Citizens Alliance (SCA) after the political committee failed to retract false accusations that Taylor operates an illegal gambling business and is under a state ethics investigation.

SCA sent a mailer to voters accusing Taylor of “RUNNING A CASINO” and being “under a state ethics investigation.” Yet SCA’s own website acknowledges Taylor is merely “the landlord” and describes the ethics matter as a citizen’s complaint. Senior State Ethics Commission officials have confirmed that no investigation or formal proceeding has been initiated against him.

Addressing the accusations concerning the property, Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes issued the following statement:

“I’m not aware of any complaints about illegal activity at 2101 Tramway Road, and we haven’t referred anything involving that location to ALE. When we get complaints about gaming machines, we generally refer those to ALE because that’s their area of expertise.

Charles Taylor owns the property, but I don’t have any information suggesting he owns or operates their equipment or runs the business. I’m also not aware of any complaints or information suggesting Charles has committed any crime in connection with the property.”

Taylor emphasized his commitment to the community and his desire to keep the campaign focused on the issues that matter to local residents.

“This community means a great deal to me, and so does the trust of the people who live here,” Taylor said. “I’m running because I care about the future of Lee and Moore counties and want to make a difference for the families who call this area home. The people of this district deserve a campaign focused on the issues that affect their lives, not false accusations and manufactured controversy.”

Taylor’s attorney demanded a retraction on October 21, giving SCA until October 23 to correct the record. The organization failed to do so.

“There’s a difference between hardball politics and falsely accusing someone of criminal conduct,” said Taylor’s attorney, Philip R. Thomas of Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Wallen, PLLC. “Sandhills’ own website contradicts the accusations it mailed to voters. We put them on notice, gave them an opportunity to retract their lies, and they refused. Political committees don’t get a free pass to defame someone simply because there’s an election coming up. We intend to hold Sandhills accountable.”

Full complaint and supporting exhibits: See here

Philip R. Thomas

204 N Person St., Raleigh, NC 27601

http://www.chalmersadams.com

Statements within the formal complaint:

SCA’s Statement of Organization identifies David Knight as its treasurer, Joe Patton as its assistant treasurer, and 3096 South Horner Boulevard, No. 359, Sanford, North Carolina 27332 as its mailing address.

[NOT withing the complaint: David Knight is a former Raleigh council member. A quick search revealed: Joe Patton is a campaign finance professional and compliance specialist based in Raleigh, North Carolina. He works alongside Collin McMichael at CM & Co., a firm widely recognized for handling campaign compliance, treasury management, and financial logistics for Republican candidates, political action committees (PACs), and conservative groups. This same company, CM & Co. works as the treasurer for Charles Taylor.]

11. One side of the Mailer states, in prominent type, “CHARLES TAYLOR OWNS AN ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATION.” It also asserts that “Charles Taylor is running a gambling operation in Lee County” and that “he’s breaking the law himself.” (Ex. A-1.)

12. That same side states, without qualification, “And now, Taylor is under a state ethics investigation.” The Mailer cites The Rant as a source for that statement. (Ex. A-1.)

13. The reverse side states, again in prominent type, “HE’S ALSO RUNNING A CASINO.” (Ex. A-2.)

14. The statements are materially false. Taylor neither owned nor operated the business or its equipment, and the Commission has not initiated an investigation concerning him.

SCA’s Mailer contradicted the reporting it cited and SCA’s own website. Those sources described Taylor as the landlord and reported only the filing of an ethics complaint; the Mailer instead asserted that he operated an illegal gambling business and was under an ongoing state investigation.

SCA did not retract or correct the challenged accusations by the requested deadline.

SCA published the Mailer knowing that its accusations were false or with reckless disregard as to whether they were false.

The formal complaint is available online. See here.

Oct. 27, 2026

Provided.