RALEIGH, N.C.  – The North Carolina House speaker says he wants to know more about allegations another lawmaker embraced a teen volunteer and drank alcohol before speeding to work this week. The lawmaker took to the House floor to defend himself.

Speaker Joe Hackney said Thursday he asked the House sergeant-at-arms to look into the actions of GOP Rep. Cary Allred from Alamance County.

Hackney said he received reports about Allred’s drinking, speeding and embracing a House page.

Allred says he did nothing illegal and the probe is a watch hunt. No criminal charges have been filed.

Allred said the page is a family friend he likens to a granddaughter. He acknowledged having some alcohol work Monday and being pulled over for speeding. He said he was given a warning.