Taylor faces ethics complaint over undisclosed property, business interests

By Gordon Anderson | gordon@rantnc.com

Republican candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives Charles Taylor is facing an ethics complaint over allegations that he failed to disclose ownership of a Sanford property that reportedly houses a video gambling parlor, along with other real estate and business interests.

Diana Stepanik of Lee County filed the complaint with the North Carolina State Ethics Commission on Friday, alleging that Taylor failed to disclose his ownership of the property at 2101 Tramway Road, two properties in Greene County, and interests in two limited liability companies on two separate statements of economic interest, a form candidates are required to file with the state.

Taylor is seeking to succeed Republican Rep. John Sauls in the North Carolina House of Representatives against unaffiliated candidate April Montgomery. House District 51 is made up of Lee County and parts of Moore County. There is no Democratic candidate in the race.

The Tramway Road property was the subject of a story published Sunday by Raleigh-based news outlet The Assembly, which detailed Taylor’s December 2025 purchase of the property and its use as a video gambling establishment:

Taylor is a Republican Sanford City Council member vying to represent Lee and Moore counties in the N.C. House. Taylor’s disclosure lists his personal residence but says nothing about the property at 2101 Tramway Road. Nor does it mention properties he owns at 1516 Wayne Street in Sanford and a pair of single-family homes in Snow Hill, all of which he acquired in December 2025 and says he has since rented out. Taylor’s disclosure lists two sources of income exceeding $5,000: freelance television graphics production work and his city council position. 

Another employee said Taylor “doesn’t come here.”

The video gambling operation described by The Assembly appears to violate North Carolina law, which prohibits many types of electronic gambling machines, particularly those involving games of chance and cash payouts. The outlet reported that customers could deposit money directly into the machines and collect winnings from employees. State Alcohol Law Enforcement officials told The Assembly they could not determine the legality of machines they had not examined, and that Taylor had not been charged with any criminal offense.

Stepanik’s complaint, which can be read in full here, matches much of The Assembly’s reporting, but alleges that Taylor’s failure to disclose financial interests dates back to his service on the North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission which began in 2015.

Specifically, Stepanik alleges that Taylor failed to disclose his ownership of the two Greene County properties on his 2015 statement of economic interest. While The Assembly reported that Taylor purchased the properties in December 2025, a deed filed with the Greene County Register of Deeds shows that Taylor and his brother acquired them in February 2013. Greene County property records continue to list them as owners.

Reached for comment, Taylor gave a written statement to The Rant similar to the one he gave The Assembly, explaining that he didn’t include properties he purchased on December 31, 2025 because “the closing happened on the final day of the year” and that he planned to amend his SEI form “this week” to include “these new properties that I own.”

Asked specifically about the Greene County properties, which deed records show he acquired in 2013 and which were not listed on his 2015 or 2026 disclosures, Taylor responded, “As I said above I will resolve any technical issues with my (statement of economic interest).”

Stepanik’s complaint also alleges that Taylor failed to disclose his interests in two limited liability companies, Hawkins-Veterans Way QOZB LLC and Taylor QOF LLC, both formed in December 2025. Taylor is listed on the North Carolina Secretary of State website as the founder of both businesses. Lee County property records identify Hawkins-Veterans Way QOZB as the owner of parcels near the intersection of Hawkins Avenue and Veterans Way. Those properties were acquired on the same day, and from the same seller, as the property at 2101 Tramway Road.

QOZB stands for “qualified opportunity zone business” and QOF stands for “qualified opportunity fund.” The companies were established under a federal program designed to encourage investment in economically distressed areas by offering investors potential tax advantages. Stepanik’s complaint argues that Taylor’s failure to disclose his interests in those companies is particularly relevant given his public positions on government spending and economic incentives. She specifically cited his vote against an incentive agreement for a project known as Project Jupiter during a January 2020 Sanford City Council meeting.

North Carolina law makes knowingly concealing or failing to disclose information required on a statement of economic interest a Class 1 misdemeanor. Knowingly providing false information on the form is a Class H felony. Both offenses can also result in disciplinary action. Stepanik’s complaint cites both provisions, which are also printed on the statements Taylor filed in 2015 and 2026.

Stepanik is an unaffiliated voter who identified herself in an email to The Rant as a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army Nurse Corps. She said the issues in the complaint had “been discussed on social media, and I felt it was worth learning more,” and that she worked with an attorney on the complaint.

Taylor won the Republican nomination for the House 51 seat in March, defeating Lee County Board of Education Chair Sherry Womack in a contentious primary. During the campaign, Taylor filed a complaint with the state Republican Party alleging that Womack’s husband, Lee County GOP Chairman Jim Womack, had improperly used party resources to support his wife’s candidacy. The North Carolina Republican Party has not publicly disclosed the outcome, if any, of that complaint.

Womack told The Rant the Lee GOP remains supportive of Taylor.

“The Lee County GOP supports and promotes all Republican candidates running for office this fall. We believe their qualifications and advocacy for traditional American values is what best meets our citizens’ needs,” he said. “I hesitate to speculate on the veracity of allegations against any of our candidates that break this late in the election cycle. I’m sure all will be sorted out after the election.”

The North Carolina State Ethics Commission is responsible for investigating alleged violations of the State Government Ethics Act involving certain state officials and employees. Complaints filed with the commission, along with responses and investigative records, are generally confidential under state law and are not considered public records. Statements of Economic Interest, however, are public.

The commission may dismiss complaints or investigate allegations and refer matters for further action, including possible criminal prosecution. The filing of a complaint does not establish that a violation occurred. Stepanik provided a copy of her complaint and supporting documents directly to The Rant and other news organizations.