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posted at 2007-02-16 01:23 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
Jim Black's fellow Democrats were nonplussed, to put it mildly, by news of his admission in court Thursday to accepting 25K in cash plus a 4K check in return for pushing legislation that favored the donors, NC chiropractors. Many of Black's colleagues and supporters just never thought he would do anything like that - before the hearing, many said that whatever he'd done, it must have been for the good of the party, not personal gain. Afterward, not so much. Alamance Dem Alice Bordsen was uncharacteristically grim when I caught up with her Thursday afternoon.
Other legislators were more eloquent in what they didn't say - specifically, the words "lie" or "betrayal." More than one House Dem told me off-record they'd been asked not to use those words, but no one wanted to say who it was that asked. If it's true, it's certainly an interesting start to the new era of openness and transparency in the House.
At the courthouse, Black slipped out the side door without comment, though Mark Binker's blog has some audio from Black's attorney Ken Bell. Meantime, out front, Black critic Joe Sinsheimer was ready as ever with a hyperbolic soundbite outside the federal courthouse doors. Here's some of his opinion on the case. Former Republican state Senator-turned-corruption-crusader Fern Shubert was at Sinsheimer's elbow, doing her level best to steer the discussion toward possible wrongdoing by Governor Easley. Today, though, was all about Jim Black.
You can hear the story I did on it here.
Other reactions:
Speaking of Governor Easley, he released this succinct statement this afternoon:
"It is a sad day when any public servant faces criminal charges. Unfortunately, these matters of misconduct may well overshadow his 25 years of public service."
Black's successor Speaker Joe Hackney weighed in as well:
"The public's trust must always come first for every elected official," said Speaker Joe Hackney. "It is unacceptable for any of us to put our own personal gain ahead of the trust of the people, and any elect official who does, must be held accountable.
"We have started a new session of the General Assembly, with new leadership in the House, and I am confident that any improprieties are behind us."
And - no surprise - the state GOP issued its own statement:
"FINALLY!
After years of a corrupt, unethical, and dictatorial tenure, Jim Black at last pleads guilty in a court of law."
The full GOP release is here.
Comments? Drop me a line.
