March sentencing set for NC businesswoman

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sentencing on federal mail fraud charges has been set for a Triangle-area businesswoman who ran unsuccessfully for Congress and mayor of Raleigh.

Court documents show Grant's sentencing is scheduled for March 20. She could face up to 20 years in prison but will likely be sentenced to less time.

Grant pleaded guilty last year to mail fraud stemming from a real estate investment scam. Authorities said Grant promised high returns on a real estate project in 2007, but many investors said they never got any money back and were misled about where their money was going.

Grant ran as a Democrat and lost the mayor's race in 1999. She switched party affiliation, then lost to Democrat Brad Miller in a bitter 2002 race for the U.S. House of Representatives.