Posted on 02/03/2007 4:16:51 AM PST by Locomotive Breath
Some dot connecting necessary?
Black groups reject governor
News & Observer, The (Raleigh, NC)
October 27, 2004
Author: Amy Gardner; Staff Writer
Estimated printed pages: 3
LUMBERTON -- Two black political organizations have declared their dissatisfaction with Gov. Mike Easley, accusing him of taking them for granted.
In its election-year report card on candidates, the N.C. Black Leadership Caucus gave Easley an F for failing to attend its annual banquet and for his positions on issues such as the death penalty and school funding.
And the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People declined to endorse a gubernatorial candidate -- an overt rejection of Easley from a group that typically backs Democrats.
(snip)
//
http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/467088.html
Easley: Scandal damages state
News & Observer, The (Raleigh, NC)
August 3, 2006
Author: Rob Christensen
Jonathan B. Cox; Staff Writers
Estimated printed pages: 2
Gov. Mike Easley said Wednesday that the fundraising scandal swirling around House Speaker Jim Black, a key Democratic ally, has become "a blight on the state."
But Easley sidestepped questions about whether Black should step down, saying that all the facts in the case were not known and that the legal process should be given time to work.
The questions arose a day after former Republican state Rep. Michael Decker pleaded guilty to corruption charges of accepting $50,000 in exchange for switching his party registration to help keep Black speaker in 2003.
The plea agreement did not say who gave Decker the money. But attention has focused on Black, who met privately with Decker to try to secure his vote.
Although Black has acknowledged raising campaign funds for Decker -- as he does for many political allies -- he has strongly denied any quid pro quo.
(snip)
//
http://www.newsobserver.com/1179/story/441629.html
Geddings' ties weren't unknown
News & Observer, The (Raleigh, NC)
May 20, 2006
Author: J. Andrew Curliss
Dan Kane; Staff Writers
Estimated printed pages: 3
The indictment of former lottery commissioner Kevin L. Geddings of Charlotte describes contacts he made in recent years with top Democrats in the state -- including Gov. Mike Easley, Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, and a key aide to House Speaker Jim Black -- while working for a lottery vendor.
(snip)
//
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061101/NEWSREC0101/61101010
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Decker identifies Black as 'co-conspirator'
By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press Writer
ADVERTISEMENT
RALEIGH (AP) Former state Rep. Michael Decker testified Wednesday that House Speaker Jim Black was a "co-conspirator" in Decker's scheme to receive $50,000 to switch party affiliations in a move that helped Black remain chamber leader in 2003.
Decker made the comment under oath during a federal court hearing to consider a potential conflict of interest in his case. Decker is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in August to one count of conspiracy.
The statement was the first in open court to identify Black by name for possible involvement in the conspiracy. Black has not been charged with any crimes.
"Was one of your co-conspirators Speaker Jim Black?" U.S. District Judge James Dever asked Decker.
"Yes, your honor," Decker responded.
(snip)
//
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/353703/club_owners_money_is_ok_black_aide_says_spokeswoman_says/index.html
CLUB OWNERS' MONEY IS OK, BLACK AIDE SAYS -
SPOKESWOMAN SAYS CONTRIBUTORS OPERATE LEGAL BUSINESSES
Charlotte Observer, The (NC)
January 11, 2006
Author: MARK JOHNSON
A spokeswoman for House Speaker Jim Black defended his acceptance of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from owners of topless bars, including a donation disclosed Tuesday.
Black received $3,000 from David Fairchild, of Texas, on Nov. 2, 2004, Election Day. Fairchild is a former officer in the Association of Club Executives, a national trade group for topless bar owners, and he operates The Men's Club in Charlotte.
The same day Black, a Matthews Democrat, received $3,000 each from Jerry Golding and his wife, Jeri, of Virginia. Jerry Golding owns Dockside Dolls, a topless bar near Burlington closed last year by court order after allegations that included sex acts by employees.
Black said he would return the Goldings' contributions after the Observer asked about the money last month. Robinson said that refund was based on Golding's past conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
David "Slim" Baucom, the Charlotte-based owner of clubs such as Leather and Lace and The Gold Club, said he helped round up the contributions. He previously had given money to Black.
Black is not the only elected official to receive topless bar money. Gov. Mike Easley, Attorney General Roy Cooper, Sen. Malcolm Graham of Charlotte and Sen. Vernon Malone of Raleigh - all Democrats - received money, some of which was returned.
(snip)
//
http://www.ncgop.org/home/JimBlack.asp
* Information Overload ! ! *
The Governor likes Strip Clubs?
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-813002.cfm
Board likely gets strip club again after judge's ruling
EXCERPT
BY RAY GRONBERG : The Herald-Sun
gronberg@heraldsun.com
Jan 25, 2007 : 11:58 pm ET
Rand's service on the bench has drawn criticism from the John William Pope Civitas Institute, a Raleigh think tank whose vice president is Durham City Councilman Thomas Stith.
The institute's president, Jack Hawke, penned a newsletter article earlier this month that called Rand a "Friend of Mike's," a reference to Gov. Mike Easley.
Easley has appointed Rand to the bench three times, most recently after voters elected a different judge to Rand's seat. The governor and Rand's father, the Senate majority leader, are longtime friends.
Some points ring true ...
Re: Re: Easley: Picking Nifong the worst appointment of his career Author: roper53668
Nifong promised Gov. Easley that we would serve as an appointed interim DA, and not run for election.
Then, Nifong fires Freda Black.
Then, Freda files to run for DA.
Then, Nifong's wife, Cy, realizes that she can live much better on a DA's pension, than on the pension of a man who will receive a payback firing from Freda.
So Nifong breaks his word to Gov. Easley, files to run for DA, "lends" his campaign a substantial sum, finds himself 20% behind in the polls in 3rd place behind Freda and the AA candidate Keith Bishop, and receives little financial support from the Durham legal community... because, they think he is a loser with no chance to win.
Then, Sgt. Gottlieb delivers a fanciful tale of an alleged rape victim, with DNA from semen in her body, and a sworn statement that she had not had sex with anyone for a week before the alleged assault.
Gottlieb promises Nifong a "mountain of physical evidence" against the hated Duke students.
Nifong discusses the case with Cy, who recognizes the path to electoral victory.
In a highly improper move, Nifong assumes direct control of the case.
Nifong schedules the first of his multiple, inflammatory, corrosive, racially divisive, public announcements.
"Yes sir... he is certain that rape occured that night... yes sir".
And its off to the election.
http://forums.go.com/abclocal/WTVD/thread?threadID=148608
Corruption down there seems endemic.
And hopefully he won't ever be able to ever get all the Fong off him.
Remember Tammy??
Connected?
Topless Bar Cash
Other N.C. elected officials who have received contributions from topless bar owners, according to campaign reports:
Gov. Mike Easley received $8,000 from David "Slim" Baucom, a Charlotte club owner, which Easley later returned, plus another $5,500 from Baucom's wife and son. Easley also received $4,000 from Jerry Reid, president of Pure Gold Franchises, a chain of six topless clubs in North and South Carolina. Reid's son, a vice president with the company, also gave Easley $4,000.
Mac McCorkle, a political adviser to Easley, said he was checking on the contributions from the Reids.
Attorney General Roy Cooper received $2,000 in 2003 from Reid.
Sen. Malcolm Graham, a Charlotte Democrat, was given $500 in 2004 by Baucom.
Sen. Vernon Malone, a Raleigh Democrat, got a $4,000 check from Baucom in May 2004, but waited so long to cash it that Baucom had switched banks and the check was no good, Baucom said. Reid gave Malone $2,000.
"the sleeping clueless masses fail to comment here, because this is STATE government and most folks have NO CLUE just how CORRUPT things are in Raleigh...It is appalling at the lack of knowledge there is, and how much MORE our NC government controls us than OTHER states...but the sheeple have just allowed it to happen thru the years, and look what a mess we are in..."
http://www.citizen-times.net/cgi-bin/forums/asheville/YaBB.pl?num=1151903015
http://jimblackmustgo.com/
A strip club owner who contributed thousands to Jim Black and then bragged in a strip club industry newsletter that the House had gutted key legislation affecting strip clubs in North Carolina.
A Charlotte businessman who help route strip club donations to Jim Black,
including $6000 from a convicted drug trafficker living in Richmond, Virginia.
News & Observer, October 25, 2004, Author: Lynn Bonner (excerpt)
"No clothes, no cash
Remember when Easley said of his wife, Mary, that if she were any more
extroverted, "she'd be a stripper"? Well, someone out there seems to have
taken the description a little too literally.
According to Easley's campaign finance reports, he has accepted contributions
this year from three businessmen with ties to topless bars in North Carolina.
He received $2,777.77 from Jerry Golding, owner and president of Dockside Dolls.
He received $4,000 from Jerry Reid, who runs topless clubs under the name
Pure Gold. Jerry Reid Jr., Reid's son, also gave $4,000.
Easley campaign manager Jay Reiff said he was unaware of the contributions
until a reporter asked about them Friday. He said the money would be returned
to the donors immediately."
On-street parking near strip club raises ire [Popular place--]
Toby Coleman, Staff Writer, N&O, Jan 27, 2007
CARY - Strip club traffic is clogging narrow Hillsboro Street.
It becomes an accidental one-lane road at night because people eager to watch scantily clad women dance on poles at the Pure Gold club park along both sides of the downtown Cary side street.
"That street has been a real hazard here lately," said John Beal, who has lived in the neighborhood for 53 years. "If a firetruck or anything else needed to come down it, there's no way it could get down."
Parked cars line the street after dark.
On a recent night, the line of cars stretched from Pure Gold down both sides of the street to the modest bungalows in the middle of the block. Some drivers even wedged their cars into a no-parking zone on the southern side of the street.
Neighbors say weekend nights are the worst. People line both sides of Hillsboro Street with cars and litter neighborhood yards with "bottles and cans and other various and sundry items I don't like to mention in public," said Ann Arader, a resident of nearby N. West Street. -snip-
http://www.newsobserver.com/167/story/536820.html
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1192760/
Durham Duke Lacrosse players and their families have always stood by the three young men accused of sexual assault last year. Now for the first time, there has been an outpouring of support from the Durham community.
Duke fans, lacrosse fans, and even North Carolina fans stood together at the Durham County Courthouse on Sunday, where Collin Finnerty, Dave Evans, and Reade Seligmann have previously appeared to face felony charges for sexually assaulting a dancer.
We wanted to come out and support the boys and see what's going to happen, and we feel the charges will eventually be dropped, said supporter Roger Greer.
Two activist groups spearheaded Sundays gathering. Concerned Duke Mothers formed in response to the initial rape accusations, and Ethical Durham is a group that encourages Duke students to vote and support ethical causes.
After previous protests where people taunted the lacrosse players, supporters said it was time to step forward to show the accused players whos behind them.
It's a travesty of the system, what's been going on, said one supporter.
More than 100 people walked three miles from the courthouse toward Dukes lacrosse field in support of three young men. At the end of the walk, there was applause for the lacrosse team as they practiced on the field.
Many marchers told WRAL they've believed in the players' innocence from day one. Others admitted they wouldn't have been part of this group early on, but they're here now. Their ranks included Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong's former campaign manager, Jackie Brown.
(Were wearing) the fantastic lies buttons, for those fantastic lies (Nifong) told, Brown said.
That makes me feel like my son is in a good place at Duke, in Durham, and that there are other people who believe in justice, said Tracy Tkac, whose son plays on the lacrosse team.
A hearing previously scheduled on Monday for the accused players is on hold until at least May after the judge in the case issued an order to stop all hearings. Special prosecutors and defense attorneys met with the judge last week.
The state Attorney General's office issued a statement saying prosecutors will use the next few months to review the case.
bttt
I have more & have to get it organized, but they have Smithfield connections also.
Could that be Tammy Rose? Does any one in the business use there given name?
Great research! (Some interesting names on those lists.)
Okay, now I am wondering if this could be the BT connection
[Sometimes it seems as if I have more homework than my 15 year old son]
:-)
As always, Hat tip to maggief - none of this would be possible without her!
Uhh - nope. I'm sure he hoped the electorate would take care of the problem for him.
You'd think this was a frat party in Trinity Park. /just kidding
Didn't Jakki (who is due in court tomorrow, Wake County, am session -assault charges) work for one of those clubs?
That would be Jackie Yancey, neice-phew of Mary Cheek.
LOL!
Didn't Jakki (who is due in court tomorrow, Wake County, am session -assault charges) work for one of those clubs?
That would be Jackie Yancey, neice-phew of Mary Cheek.
LOL!
Thanks, FRiend.
It is a collaboration and your research is always amazing. :)
The FR Detective Agency!
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