Fear of Black quieted cohorts
Saturday, April 28th, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
Witnesses awed by his power, prosecutors say
DAVID INGRAM
dingram@charlotteobserver.com
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RALEIGH –
Jim Black was so influential as speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives — and his ability to exact retribution was so feared — that campaign contributors hesitated to confirm to federal agents even that Black had telephoned to solicit money from them.
That was among the details revealed in a federal courtroom Friday about the two-year corruption investigation of Black and his allies.
"Because of Jim Black’s great power in this state, we found it difficult to get people to give evidence that might be incriminating to him," said John Bruce, an assistant U.S. attorney.
"They were in awe of his power."
Former Rep. Michael Decker finally helped break that power when, under investigation himself, he cooperated with authorities. He described a money-for-vote scheme with Black and pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge. (more…)
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