Raleigh, N.C. – Former North Carolina House Speaker Jim Black pleaded guilty Thursday to taking thousands of dollars from chiropractors in exchange for supporting legislation that aided them.
Federal prosecutors said Black, a 71-year-old Democrat who gave up his House seat Wednesday, accepted about $25,000 in cash between February 2002 and December 2005.
According to court documents, Black told one of the chiropractors at their last meeting, “This is just between me and you – don’t you ever tell anybody about this.”
The three chiropractors were not identified.
Prosecutors also said Black accepted a $4,000 check, which he deposited into his personal account.
Black, an optometrist who represented suburban Charlotte, served eight years in the powerful position of speaker before deciding not to seek a fifth term in that job in December.
For the past two years, Black had been dogged by a federal grand jury that was investigating his campaign finances, involvement in the creation of the state lottery and ties to the state’s video poker industry. The details of Thursday’s plea – including that Black had personally taken money – came as a surprise.
Black pleaded guilty to a single count of accepting things of value in connection with the business of state government. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Black will be sentenced May 14 and, under the terms of his deal, must agree to help the government.
Prosecutors said Black took the money in exchange for boosting three bills that favored chiropractors.
The first limited who, other than chiropractors, can provide chiropractic services.
The second, passed in 2005, ensured that consumers don’t have to pay higher insurance premiums to see chiropractors rather than regular doctors.
A third would have allowed only chiropractors to evaluate the appropriateness or effectiveness of chiropractic care. Black pulled that bill, saying he didn’t want to cause controversy.
