# James B. Black > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/James_B._Black > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/James_B._Black.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B._Black > Source revision: 1347304537 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American politician from North Carolina Jim Black Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives In office January 1, 1999 – January 1, 2007 Serving with Richard Morgan (2003–2005) Preceded by Harold Brubaker Succeeded by Joe Hackney Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives In office January 1, 1991 – February 14, 2007 Preceded by Lawrence Edward Diggs Succeeded by Tricia Cotham Constituency 36th District (1991-2003) 100th District (2003-2007) In office January 1, 1981 – January 1, 1985 Preceded by Marilyn R. Bissell Succeeded by Raymond Allan Warren Constituency 36th District Personal details Born James Boyce Black (1935-03-25) March 25, 1935 (age 91) Matthews, North Carolina, U.S. Party Democratic Alma mater Southern College of Optometry, O.D. Occupation Optometrist **James Boyce Black** (born March 25, 1935) is a member of the [North Carolina Democratic Party](/source/North_Carolina_Democratic_Party), and a former member of the [North Carolina General Assembly](/source/North_Carolina_General_Assembly), who represented the state's 100th House district, including constituents in [Mecklenburg County](/source/Mecklenburg_County%2C_North_Carolina). An [optometrist](/source/Optometrist) from [Matthews, North Carolina](/source/Matthews%2C_North_Carolina), Black was elected to 11 (non-consecutive) terms in the [House of Representatives](/source/North_Carolina_House_of_Representatives), and served as [Speaker of the House](/source/Speaker_of_the_North_Carolina_House_of_Representatives) from January 1999 through the end of 2006, when scandal forced him to give up the leadership post. For the 2003-2004 legislative session Black was elected to serve as "Co-Speaker" with Republican [Richard T. Morgan](/source/Richard_T._Morgan) serving as the other Co-Speaker.[1] Black earned an O.D. from the [Southern College of Optometry](/source/Southern_College_of_Optometry).[2] He served in the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy) and in the [United States Naval Reserve](/source/United_States_Naval_Reserve).[3] ## Fall from power In 2005 and 2006, Black was linked to a series of scandals involving, among other things, the party-switching Rep. [Michael P. Decker](/source/Michael_P._Decker), and the [North Carolina lottery](/source/Lotteries_in_the_United_States), established the previous year. The proceedings led to convictions for several involved figures, including Decker, media and public relations consultant Kevin L. Geddings and political aide Meredith Norris. Decker testified under oath that he instigated a bribery scheme of which Black was alleged to be a "co-conspirator". Black has consistently denied those allegations. Although Black was not indicted while serving as speaker, the situation drew ire from the [North Carolina Republican Party](/source/North_Carolina_Republican_Party), which involved the scandal in their November election campaigns.[4] Black was re-elected in November 2006, over Republican political novice Hal Jordan. Meanwhile, he led efforts to increase the Democratic majority in the State House. In December 2006, Black announced that he would not seek another term as Speaker.[5] That was followed in January 2007 by his announcement that he would not run for re-election to the House in 2008.[6] Black pleaded guilty to a [federal](/source/United_States_Code) charge of [public corruption](/source/Political_corruption) on February 15, 2007, a [felony](/source/Felony) carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.[7] He admitted to accepting funds from [chiropractors](/source/Chiropractic) while their professional group had legislation pending in the North Carolina General Assembly. As a result, he resigned from the General Assembly on February 14, 2007.[8] Federal prosecutors have said the plea deal with Black involves his assistance in their continued investigation into political corruption in North Carolina government. Black's agreement with federal prosecutors did not protect him from state prosecution.[9] Indeed, days after his federal plea, he entered into a separate [Alford plea](/source/Alford_plea) agreement with the [district attorney](/source/District_attorney) of [Wake County](/source/Wake_County), whose jurisdiction includes the state capital, [Raleigh](/source/Raleigh%2C_North_Carolina).[10] On July 11, 2007, Black was sentenced by Judge [Terrence Boyle](/source/Terrence_Boyle) to five years, three months in prison, three years of probation, and a $50,000 fine.[11] Black was sentenced in state court as well in 2007 and 2009, but was allowed to serve his state sentences concurrently with his federal prison time.[12][13] In 2010, Black was released from federal prison in Georgia and returned to Mecklenburg County to serve the remaining six months of his term either at a halfway house or under house arrest.[14] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [“Black, Morgan Elected Co-Speakers Of State House.”. WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC. February 5, 2003. Retrieved October 13, 2011.](http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1089971/) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060406171345/http://www.legislature.state.al.us/SearchableInstruments/2005RS/Resolutions/HR89.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.legislature.state.al.us/SearchableInstruments/2005RS/Resolutions/HR89.htm) on 2006-04-06. Retrieved 2006-10-18.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["North Carolina General Assembly - Representative James B. Black (Democrat, 2007-2008 Session)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070203015608/http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=House&nUserID=4). Archived from [the original](http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=House&nUserID=4) on 2007-02-03. Retrieved 2007-02-15. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Christensen, Rob. ["Trial shows capital's shady side."](http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/498125.html)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]. [The News & Observer](/source/The_News_%26_Observer), Raleigh, North Carolina. October 13, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2006. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Black drops out of speaker race"](http://www.newsobserver.com/1179/story/520938.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070110233940/http://www.newsobserver.com/1179/story/520938.html) 2007-01-10 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). [The News & Observer](/source/The_News_%26_Observer), Raleigh, North Carolina. December 13, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2006. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [newsobserver.com | NC News Wire](http://dwb.newsobserver.com/news/ncwire_news/story/3020700p-9440220c.html)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [\[1\]](https://www.newsobserver.com) | MAY 10, 2015 | Former House Speaker Jim Black’s law finds new life | Rob Christensen | [\[2\]](https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/rob-christensen/article20609109.html) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [newsobserver.com | Black pleads guilty to corruption charge](http://www.newsobserver.com/1179/story/543491.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070217231926/http://www.newsobserver.com/1179/story/543491.html) 2007-02-17 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Home Page | www.charlotteobserver.com](http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/16691395.htm) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [newsobserver.com | Black's tumble continues with new plea](http://www.newsobserver.com/1179/story/545476.html)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [newsobserver.com | Jim Black gets 63 months in prison](http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/jimblack/story/633483.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070713212320/http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/jimblack/story/633483.html) 2007-07-13 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [newsobserver.com | Black sentenced, fined $1 million](http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/jimblack/story/654479.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070920072827/http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/jimblack/story/654479.html) 2007-09-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [News & Observer: Jim Black sentenced for bribery](http://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/1610060.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090719080538/http://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/1610060.html) 2009-07-19 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Jim Black released from prison | newsobserver.com projects"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120401164902/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/jim_black_released_from_prison). Archived from [the original](http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/jim_black_released_from_prison) on 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2010-10-04. ## External links - [News & Observer "Under the Dome" Profile of Black](https://web.archive.org/web/20070509225738/http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome/profiles/jim_black) - [Carolina Journal - Spotlight on Speaker Jim Black](https://web.archive.org/web/20111015085137/http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/series.html?id=23) - [Black's Plea Agreement with U.S. Attorneys](https://web.archive.org/web/20071008074615/http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/pdfs/2007/02/15/plea_forms.pdf) North Carolina House of Representatives Preceded by Marilyn R. Bissell Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 36th district 1981–1985 Served alongside: Louise Smith Brennan, Ruth Easterling, Gus Nickolas Economos, Jo Graham Foster, Harold Parks Helms, LeRoy Page Spoon, Jr., Benjamin Thompson Tison, III, Philip O. Berry Succeeded by Raymond Allan Warren Preceded by Lawrence Edward Diggs Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 36th district 1991–2003 Succeeded by David Miner Preceded by Constituency established Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 100th district 2003–2007 Succeeded by Tricia Cotham Political offices Preceded by Harold Brubaker Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives 1999–2007 Served alongside: Richard Morgan (2003–2005) Succeeded by Joe Hackney --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [James B. Black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B._Black) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B._Black?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.