Congressman Pleads No Contest In Accident

Rep. David Funderburk pleaded no contest Monday to a minor traffic violation, and authorities in return dropped a charge that the freshman lawmaker lied to a state trooper after a traffic accident.

Funderburk, R-N.C., was fined $25 and assessed court costs after a lawyer pleaded no contest in his behalf to driving left of center, said Kay Upchurch, assistant clerk of court for Harnett County Superior Court.

Funderburk did not appear at the hearing.

Funderburk and his wife, Betty, insisted she was driving when their car crossed a double yellow line, forcing an oncoming van into a bridge abutment. Witnesses said the congressman was driving, and switched places with his wife down the road before returning to the accident scene.