Throwing encyclopedias
When Federal Judge James Dever sentences former Speaker Jim Black later this month, he wants to know a few things. From an order filed in District Court Monday:
Pursuant to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures 32(h), this court provides notice that at the sentencing hearing it wants to receive evidence concerning the amount of money that defendant Jim Black raised from chiropractors from 1999 to 2006 ... The court also wants to know the identities of the chiropractors identified in the Factual Basis ... The court also wants to receive evidence on whether and how the defendant spent or distributed the cash that he received from the chiropractors. The court also wants to receive evidence concerning the August 15, 2006 meeting between Dr. Keith and defendant."
The upper limit of Black's jail time, according to the order, is 120 months - that's 10 years to you and me.
Click here to read the full order.
Some of what judge asked about we know. For example, the identity of the chiropractors came out in state court.
As for how the money was spent, that's still a little fuzzy. It will be interesting to see whether it gets cleared up. (Black's lawyer didn't have a real specific answer after the former Speaker's last federal court hearing.
Comments (1)
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Mark, doesn't it seem to you that Judge Dever is giving everyone one last chance to account for where ALL money came from? I also read his order as a prod to the Wake Co. DA to get in gear.
But you are absolutely right about where the money went -- I've already called for anyone who may have gotten tainted Jim Black money to return it. However, if you recall, down here in Charlotte, we didn't even completely return and give up the STOLEN Andrew Reyes money.
Keep Whompin'
Posted on May 3, 2007 2:49 PM