Calling complaints about how a criminal fine was paid “idiotic,” a Superior Court judge on Thursday sentenced former House Speaker Jim Black to 11 to months months [sic] in prison on an obstruction of justice charge.
Judge Donald Stephens said the sentence would run at the same time as the 63-month federal sentence for public corruption Black is currently serving.
Stephens withheld sentencing on the charge two years ago until Black paid off a $1 million fine imposed in the case.
Black paid $500,000 of the fine in cash last summer. Two months ago, Stephens signed off on an agreement to transfer the title of property owned by Black in Matthews, N.C., to settle the balance of the fine.
By law, the $1 million fine goes to the Wake County school district because that is where Black was convicted.
At least one school board member expressed opposition to using a land deal to settle the fine, but Stephens discussed the matter with a school board attorney Thursday morning and decided to proceed with imposing sentence to close out the case.
The judge said he was disappointed with the complaints, noting the school district should be pleased to get an extra $1 million.
Read Carolina Journal‘s coverage of the controversial fine settlement here and here.
12:20 p.m. update: Judge Stephens says that Black will have to serve all of his state prison sentence, even if his federal sentence is cut.
