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:
Friday, February 10, 2006                                          Bill Peaslee, (919) 828-6423

 

DAY 3: Speaker Black Reportedly Violated Elections Law, Investigation Will Continue

 

Two others referred to District Attorney for consideration of criminal prosecution

 

(RALEIGH) – Kim Strach, Deputy Director of Campaign Finance at the State Board of Elections, today testified that she believes Speaker Jim Black violated at least three state election laws.  The allegations include Black giving contributions in the name of another by filling in the name of Michael Decker in the payee line of three checks and turning them over to him.  Second, Strach said that Black exceeded the $4,000 contribution limit set by state law by accepting multiple checks from the Optometrist PAC.  Finally, Strach said an audit of Speaker Black’s campaign shows $27,625 in corporate contributions filled his campaign coffers.

 

Larry Leake, Chairman of the State Board of Elections, announced at the end of today’s hearings that the investigation of Speaker Jim Black and his ties to video poker and an optometry PAC will continue.  Leake said the hearings will resume sometime before mid-March.

 

“Speaker Black and some of his associates thought they found a way around North Carolina election law, but their scheme fails when brought into the light of day,” said NCGOP Chairman Ferrell Blount.  “It is more apparent than ever that the Speaker was involved in a conspiracy to break North Carolina election law.” 

 

Strach also testified that she believes former Rep. Michael Decker, Dr. Scott Edwards, and the NC Optometrist PAC violated several state election laws.  Several optometrists testified that checks were solicited by and mailed to the NC Optometry PAC.  These checks had blank payee and date lines.  Someone later filled in these lines and redirected the checks to various candidates.  Some money even ended up in the personal account of Decker. 

 

On Thursday, both Decker and Edwards refused to testify and invoked their 5th Amendment Right not to incriminate themselves.  By refusing to testify, the State Board of Elections was prevented from proceeding with that portion of their investigation.  After Strach’s testimony, the State Board of Elections referred the matter to the Wake County District Attorney.  The District Attorney will now determine whether to launch a criminal investigation.

 

“The corruption by Speaker Jim Black has been exposed and now reaches a new level,” added Blount.  “The temporary pause in these hearings should give Democrats in the N.C. House the time necessary to reflect on whether they believe Jim Black should remain as Speaker.  I believe it’s time for a new Speaker.”

 

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