• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Best Dems Money Can Buy!

Mike

Well-known member
Decker pleads guilty in Black probe

Former Representative Michael Decker, center, arrives at the Federal Courthouse in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006.
Decker pleads guilty in Black probe
From Staff Reports
Former Representative Michael Decker admitted in federal court today receiving $50,000 and a legislative job for his son in exchange for supporting Jim Black for a third term as House speaker in 2003.
The former Forsyth County lawmaker, who switched parties from Republican to Democrat, pleaded guilty to a single of charge of conspiracy to extort, commit mail fraud and launder money.

He is to be sentenced Nov. 1. He could get five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The plea agreement read in court today said that Decker met with a Democratic House member to discuss the political deal, but the papers did not name that person. Later, Decker received an envelope containing $38,000 in checks and $12,000 in cash, court documents said. An unnamed Democratic House member delivered the money, whose source was unclear. A prosecutor said that much of the money went into Decker's campaign account.

Decker's support created a 60-60 split in the House, allowing Black to remain as co-speaker. Black, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, in 2003 entered into a power-sharing agreement with Republican Rep. Richard Morgan.

Although Black was not named, he has testified in a Board of Elections hearing that he raised campaign money for Decker after Decker agreed to support him.

Decker reported spending campaign funds on a car and a trip to Florida to pick up the car. He pocketed a $4,000 contribution from Black, and State Board of Elections hearings found that Decker cashed $3,400 in contributions from Black's fellow optometrists that he did not disclose.
 

Econ101

Well-known member
Funny Comments on the deal that shows how politicians hold open the revolving door for themselves and their friends over the public interests:
Way ahead of you, Mark. We ran an edit last March headlined, "Black & Decker state job power tools produce results."

It noted that the speaker and his pal used these tools from the Black & Decker catalogue:

The jigsaw, which cuts in a zig-zag pattern -- as in Decker's switch from Republican to Democrat in 2003 in order to keep Black in power, and later back to Republican again so that he could run for re-election in his GOP-leaning district.

The stud driver, which can knock a square peg into a round hole -- making an ill-suited politician fit into any desired position.

The belt sander, which smooths over rough surfaces -- as Black & Decker did at first in denying that Black's political influence had anything to do with Decker's $48,000-a-year job.

The circular saw, which allows 360-degree cuts -- showing that what goes around in politics comes around.

And the electric screwdriver. Well, taxpayers know only too well what that means.
 

Latest posts

Top