The N.C. Board of Elections will continue questioning optometrists Thursday when a campaign finance inquiry continues in Raleigh.

A dozen optometrists took the witness stand today — outlining what they called a common practice of turning over blank checks to their state group’s political committee.

The optometrists said they believed the money would go to political campaigns.  But records have shown that some of the checks ended up in the hands of individuals — including former state Rep. Michael Decker of Forsyth County and current Rep. Howard Hunter of Hertford County.

Decker and Hunter are both allies of N.C. House Speaker Jim Black. Black spent the day sitting with his lawyers at a table facing the five-member elections board.

Lawyers from the Womble Carlyle law firm also outlined their efforts to raise money for Decker.  Womble Carlyle lobbyist and former state lawmaker A.P. “Sandy” Sands told the elections board he collected contributions for Decker and funneled them to Black.