The most telling plea for leniency from Jim Black’s supporters is not among those highlighted by the Uptown paper of record.
That would the declaration by Addison Bell, longtime Black contributor and a prime mover behind Black’s legal defense fund, that Black is a victim of bad campaign finance laws.
“It has been my belief for a long time that our political campaign financing system is a national public disgrace,” Bell, a Matthews businessman, wrote to then trial Judge James Dever in April. “I don’t know how to fix it; but it is such a great tragedy that Jim Black, who has done so many, many good works, has fallen victim to it.”
Here’s a radical thought — no matter the specifics of campaign finance law, do not take bribes in mens’ rooms across North Carolina. Problem solved.
