RALEIGH, N.C.  – E-mails released by North Carolina State University indicate former Gov. Mike Easley was involved in the school’s hiring of his wife.

The e-mails were released Monday as Chancellor James Oblinger resigned, becoming the third school official to leave a post in the flap over the job given to former first lady Mary Easley. The revelation that Mike Easley was involved in the hiring is contained in e-mails between Oblinger and the former chairman of the school’s board.

The communications indicate that Mike Easley was part of a back and forth over his wife’s hiring at the school, telling university officials of Mary Easley’s interest in the post. E-mails between the officials also state that the governor told them he planned to talk with his wife about the job.