NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY

1506 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, North Carolina 27605

Tele. (919) 828-6423 · Fax (919) 899-3815 · www.NCGOP.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:          FOR MORE INFORMATION:                          Tuesday, July 18, 2006                    Bill Peaslee, (919) 828-6423

 

Democrats Hooked on Tainted Money

Dem. Chair Claims Speaker Black’s money isn’t tainted despite Court ruling

( RALEIGH) –Despite daily news on the corruption plaguing House Speaker Jim Black, very few officials of the Democratic Party have spoken out against him.  Could this be because Black is a top fundraiser in North Carolina and provides substantial contributions to the Party and candidates?

 

In 2004 alone, Black contributed over $650,000 to the state party, which was passed on to multiple candidates. (Black Puts Party in Bind, the News & Observer 8/8/06)  It seems Democrats would rather ignore Black’s corruption than lose their contributions. 

 

“The money Jim Black provides the Democrat Party is splattered with corruption, greed, bribery, and deceit,” said Ferrell Blount, Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.  “Anyone who accepts this money, or chooses to keep money already contributed by this sleazy politician, admits they support Black’s corruption.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party, Chairman Jerry Meek rejected the idea that there is anything corrupt about Jim Black’s money, even saying, “there is no tainted money.” (Black Puts Party in Bind, the News & Observer 8/8/06) 

 

The Democrat Party’s willingness to accept this money and side with the corrupt nature of Speaker Black proves how out of touch they are with the citizens of North Carolina.  Their defense of Black’s money is an endorsement of:

  • Black blatantly ignoring campaign finance laws and accepting $6,800 in illegal contributions in blank checks from optometrists which the Superior Court and State Board of Elections mandated Black must returned.
  • Black accepting over $100,000 from the video poker industry while there were bills circulating in the General Assembly to restrict or outlaw video poker machines. (Nonpartisan watchdog group, Democracy North Carolina)
  • Black funneling unlawful corporate contributions through the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), a Washington DC based “527” organization of which Black served as the Finance Chair, to the North Carolina Democrat Party.  Among these corporate contributions was IGT, who stated they are in “long term strategic alliance” with Scientific Games, donated $225,000 from 2003-2004 and another $50,000 in 2005.  Scientific Games is the same company who paid Meredith Norris, Black’s unpaid Political Director and unregistered lobbyist, and Kevin Geddings, Black’s appointment to the NC lottery commission, both who have been indicted.  (Speaker Black’s Campaign Committee Received $275,000 from Scientific Games, John William Pope Civitas Institute 11/7/05)

 

“I’m very disappointed in the Democrat leaders’ silence and in some instances outright defense of Jim Black,” said Ferrell Blount.  “The Democrat Party’s tacit endorsement of Black and his tainted money shows they are hooked on the money and the power it provides.  Our state deserves better than this.”

 

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