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Cash money
posted at 2007-02-15 16:44 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
Former House Speaker Jim Black pled guilty today to taking 25 thousand plus dollars in cash from chiropractors in return for legislative favors.
He admitted under oath he asked two unnamed chiropractors to provide cash in return for helping advance their legislative agenda - including a special provision inserted into the 2005 budget bill to keep insurance companies from charging higher copays for chiropractors.
Black also agreed with the feds' account of how this all worked: these two guys would join Black at restaurants for dinner or fundraisers, then meet up with him in the men's bathroom to hand over their bundles of currency - as much as ten K at a time. The cash never made it into Black's bank accounts, and he never reported it as campaign contributions. When the chiropractors were subpoenaed by the grand jury last August, Black visited one to "suggest" how he should explain the cash payments.
So, let's see. After what we heard in court today, it seems like prosecutors had enough material for a long list of other serious charges, like bribery and suborning perjury. The "illegal gratuities" charge he pled to looks like a pretty good deal...which leads one to wonder what he knows that prosecutors want.
It looks like we're about to find out. As part of the plea deal, Black has agreed to cooperate in what US Attorney George Holding says is a “continuing investigation.” He may have a lot to say...both about the industries that engaged in "pay to play," as well as who they paid. And where DID the cash go, anyway? The IRS wants to know.
He's also protected from future federal prosecution on this charge or any previous "conduct" known to the feds, which would include his possible involvement in the video poker, lottery, and optometrist investigations. He IS still subject to state prosecution, though.
Black's sentencing is scheduled for May.
More later on reactions at the legislature.
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