North Carolina House Candidate Sues PAC Over Illegal Gambling Claim

Sanford City Councilor Charles Taylor (R) has served in local government for nearly two decades. As he seeks election to the North Carolina House of Representatives in Tuesday’s race, Taylor has labeled a campaign ad a smear piece regarding his alleged ties to an illegal gambling operation.

In October, Casino.org reported on a suspected illegal gambling den operating at a property Taylor owns. Property records revealed that Taylor purchased the small, single-story ranch-style office structure in December 2025 for $60,000.

The Assembly broke the news that the former women’s boutique store located at 2101 Tramway Rd. in Sanford had been converted into an unlicensed game room. The business reportedly houses 22 slot machines, with a sign on the front door featuring a handgun illustration warning: “THERE IS NOTHING HERE WORTH DYING FOR.”

Taylor said he’s the landlord of the business and failed to disclose his ownership of the property on his state election disclosure because he closed on the purchase “on the final day of the year” in 2025.

Ad Attacks Gambling Den

Taylor is running against April Montgomery, an independent, to succeed longtime House District 41 Republican John Sauls, who is retiring and not seeking reelection. Taylor alleges in a court filing that a political action committee called the Sandhills Citizens Alliance is running a smear campaign against him.

The Sandhills Citizens Alliance has been running a 30-second television commercial that highlights the allegations surrounding the illegal gambling facility linked to Taylor’s property. The PAC has also sent mailers with similar messaging.

“An investigation found gambling in a building owned by Charles Taylor. Out front, a warning sign with a gun aimed at customers,” the political ad’s voiceover says.

Taylor has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Sandhills Citizens Alliance seeking $25,000 plus punitive damages.

Taylor claims the political ad implies that Taylor is breaking the law and personally running the illegal gambling business. The complaint contends that the business was already leased when he purchased the property, and that he simply upheld the landlord-tenant agreement.

Campaign finance records reviewed by Casino.org show that the Sandhills Citizens Alliance raised $350,000 through “outside sources of income.” North Carolina Families First contributed $200,000, North Carolina Families First for Prosperity gave $100,000, and North Carolina Families First gave $50,000.

The only individual contribution came from David Knight, who runs Knight Consulting Group and contributed $1,000.

Taylor Favored

Despite the attack ads, Taylor is widely expected to win the House District 51 seat. Taylor secured the Republican ticket by defeating Lee County school board chair Sherry Lynn Womack.

District 51, which is within Lee County, has been held by Sauls since 2017 and is considered a Republican stronghold.