A video poker machine owner admits he furnished the $500 his then-girlfriend contributed to N.C. House Speaker Jim Black’s campaign in 2002.
The owner — Gary Mitchell of Wayne County — says he believed he also made a $500 contribution at the same time. But the elections board has no record of a donation from Mitchell that year.
Mitchell says he believes he encouraged then-girlfriend Monica Kirby (now known as Monica Absalao) to make the donation.
Elections Board Chairman Larry Leake: You do agree, sir, that it is more likely that it was you who initiated that purchase.
Mitchell: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Leake: Why wouldn’t you have just given in your name?
Mitchell: Sir, again I don’t recall. I really don’t.
Mitchell also says he was encouraged by colleagues in the video poker industry to support Black.
No evidence produced in this week’s hearings suggests that Black knew of any legal problems linked to contributions to his campaign from the video poker industry.
