Decker case is a signal to Black
Sunday, April 29th, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
Ex-lawmaker’s prison term, judge’s statement put ex-speaker on notice
JACK BETTS
RALEIGH –
Judge James Dever didn’t miss his calling, but if he had become a preacher or teacher, he’d have done just fine from the pulpit or the lectern.
When he laid down the law Friday and sentenced former state Rep. Michael Decker to four years in prison for instigating the worst corruption scandal in modern state history, his lecture on the devastating costs of dishonesty in public office and his sermon on the evils of greed for money and power were riveting.
Former House Speaker Jim Black wasn’t in the courtroom, but Dever made it clear he believed Decker and Black conspired in a three-year scheme to defraud their legislative colleagues, hoodwink voters and betray a tradition of honest service when Black bribed Decker to switch parties and support him for speaker.
It’s a shame the N.C. General Assembly wasn’t present to hear the judge’s view of what happened. There would have been a lot of seat-squirming — and possibly some dawning understanding of how bad this really was.
Here’s some of what Dever said during a sentencing hearing that rambled over five hours and two breaks: (more…)
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