RALEIGH, N.C. AP – A federal grand jury has charged two former investors in a company seeking to build an ethanol plant in eastern North Carolina with conspiring to commit extortion and bribery.

David Lee Brady, 75, of Raleigh and James Albert Perry Jr., 62, of Wake Forest, were released on bond after appearing in court to face charges contained in an indictment unsealed Tuesday. Perry is a former mayor of Wake Forest.