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Black Out
posted at 2007-02-14 21:49 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
There was a really strange vibe at the leg today. Everyone was talking about Jim Black - but they were doing it very quietly. Even his political foes showed little relish at the announcement of the former speaker's anticipated plea deal. Even Black's irrepressible gadfly John Blust was subdued, saying he's just ready to move forward.
If you're a cynic, you could chalk it up to the "birds of a feather" thing. But the folks I talked to said it's more than that. Legal troubles notwithstanding, Jim Black has a lot of friends left, and a lot of respect from many who aren't exactly friends. But there was also a sense of betrayal from those close to the former speaker. Many had been told one-on-one that there was nothing to worry about, no shoe to drop, that Black wasn't even the target of the investigation.
As it turns out, that may still be true. Black is expected to accept a plea deal Thursday. Why are the feds cutting a deal at all? Because they don't have enough to go to trial? After nearly two years of investigation, that seems unlikely. More likely, perhaps, is that Black has information the feds want. As with Michael Decker's case, there wasn't even an indictment - just a deal. I've heard from a very reliable source that this probe isn't over, either. Other legislators and PACs are being examined, too. And video poker is still under the feds' microscope, though that investigation might change venues to South Carolina.
What that means is that, while we don't know much now, we may not know much more after tomorrow's plea hearing. In Michael Decker's hearing, the plea itself was carefully constrained to provide only the information absolutely required by law. Still, we should at least be able to find out a few particulars, like what illegal gratuity Black took from whom, and when. For more on this, check out my interview today on the State of Things. I'll update tomorrow from the courthouse as soon as I can.
The resignation
Black wasn't at session today - he filed his letter of resignation with the clerk's office, and it was read aloud with little fanfare by clerk John Young at the start of session today. In it, Black makes no mention of legal trouble, saying instead that it's now time "to move forward with my life and attend to the health and welfare of my family." Hmmmm. You can find more on the resignation at the N&O.
The prayer
The second-most riveting audio of the day came from House Chaplain Rev. Jim Harry. Before session, he said today's opening prayer was the hardest he'd ever had to write. Harry said he thought it was important to talk about what had happened, but in a way that was full of grace and compassion (and a little old-fashioned sermonizing). You can hear it here - and frankly, I think it's worth a listen.
The hearing
We don't actually know exactly what Black is expected to plead guilty to. But the charge, accepting illegal gratuities, carries a stiff sentence. We probably won't know Thursday how stiff (though there is a possibility that, having worked through a plea deal, federal prosecutors may just want to get this over with.) The hearing is set for 1pm - I'll post whatever I learn there as soon as I can.
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