More evidence that Jim Black does not believe that his actions were improper and will readily accept punishment. Seems his lawyers have filed an unusual motion to obtain some of the grand jury testimony against him. Testimony about the Michael Decker affair. As the Associated Press explains:
Black requested the testimony, among others, of Alan Rogers, Angie Whitener and Dianna Jessup, who used to work for Black in his legislative office; employees with state Department of Cultural Resources; and “any other witness who provided information to the government that is in any way relevant” to ex-Rep. Michael Decker.
Decker pleaded guilty in federal court last August to taking $50,000 from Black in a party-switching scheme that gave leverage to Black so he could remain co-speaker in 2003. A judge sentenced Decker to four years in prison.
Black has denied that payments to Decker were a bribe. Prosecutors wrote in April that Decker’s description of the money exchange between him and Black “was a major incentive” for Black pleading guilty to the separate federal charge of taking cash from the chiropractors.
Black entered an Alford plea to the bribery charge in state court back in February, accepting that the state could present evidence that might result in a guilty verdict but not admitting his guilty. And connecting the dots, it looks as if Black’s lawyers will argue that the Decker bribe isn’t part of the same scheme to keep Black in power, and shouldn’t be considered in determining his prison sentence. Or may be a long-shot appeal that the feds framed him via Decker and forced him to plea guilty to taking chiropractor money. Any way you look at it, it should make for an interesting sentencing hearing.
