Posted on 02/13/2007 5:37:59 PM PST by jern
Black to plead guilty GARY L. WRIGHT and DAVID INGRAM and MARK JOHNSON The Charlotte Observer
Former House Speaker Jim Black is expected to plead guilty to a public corruption charge in federal court in Raleigh Thursday, ending the career of North Carolina's most powerful speaker of the modern political era.
Under the deal, Black is expected to plead guilty to one count of accepting illegal gratuities, according to his lawyer and an Observer source. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
In response to questions from the Observer, Black's lawyer, Charlotte attorney Kenneth Bell, confirmed Black's plans today.
"Since somebody is talking who shouldn't have and has leaked what's happened, I will confirm that Dr. Black will enter a guilty plea to accepting illegal gratuities in federal court on Thursday," he said.
Black is expected to plead guilty in state court within the next week, according to two sources familiar with the arrangements.
(Excerpt) Read more at charlotte.com ...
Took several paragraphs to find out he is a Dem.
You'd never know he's a dem from reading this article.. I believe he is just cause I don't see it mention in the first several paragraphs.
If it doesn't say GOP or republican in the headline, it's a democrat.
ping
Need to fix something:
The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if you are a republican. A slap on the wrist and 3 days on the Oprha Show if you are a Dem.
Fixed it.
Best news of the week. The guy is just one domino in NC politics, however. Maybe some more will topple.
black was a real crook, so this is about time.
He screwed WNC so many times it was not even funny, he was did things like refused to allow WNC to receive any money from the lottery
Good Riddance ya Democrat Crook!
FINALLY!!!!!!
And his legacy (or at least a major part of it)? The lottery, which is already under performing. Thanks Black!! You piece of trash..
Too bad for the guy who only lost to him by a handful of votes. Shame on the idiots who kept voting him in. I heard him on WBT a few times and he came across as smug and arrogant.
He is arrogant--no question about it--I just can't understand why he has eluded prison this long.
that's about all i wanted to know too, and since it isn't stated we must breathe easier knowing its a dem. being given cover by the press.
I have to wonder why this didn't come up earlier, like before the election. Democratic prosecutors? Democratic judge?
Woo! It's about time.
This is only the tip of the iceberg.
and then there is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Scott_Phipps
another of the Jim Hunt cartel.
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