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Published: 2007-04-20 11:54:51
Updated: 2007-04-20 11:54:51

Posted: April 20, 2007

Judge May Seek Stronger Sentence Against Former Legislator

Michael Decker
Michael Decker
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Raleigh, N.C. — A federal judge indicated he might seek a tougher sentence for Michael Decker.

The former state legislator pleaded guilty in August to switching parties in exchange for campaign contributions.

Decker had hoped to get leniency for helping federal authorities investigate former House Speaker Jim Black. But in a court filing, U.S. District Court Judge James Dever wrote he "is contemplating an upward departure" from the sentence recommended under federal law.

Decker's sentencing is scheduled for Friday, April 27.

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

14 Comments


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Latest Comments
billengr99 hit the nail squarely on center. Education in and thorough knowledge of our laws and statutes do not provide the tools for a well-trained professional, rather, too often that education and training is the catalyst for producing manipulative, cicumventive, fraudulent, immoral, unethical and deceitful so called "servants to the people."
yruatwit
April 20, 2007 2:58 p.m.
Any crime comitted in elected or appointed public office should be a felony to insure they will not be re-elected. They should also be prohibited from any business dealings with any other appointed or elected official and the penalty for this should also be a felony at such a level that it would be subject to the three strike penalties.

Cannot agree with capital charges....maybe just radical serilization.....lol
Click to view my profile Just Once
April 20, 2007 2:54 p.m.
I think that the most severe penalties in our legal system should be reserved for corruption of a public official, perhaps even to the extent of making those types of crimes capital offences.

Most other crimes involve individuals or small groups of individuals. Corruption of a public official affects the entire fabric of our society ....
Click to view my profile SailbadTheSinner
April 20, 2007 2:30 p.m.
As if any of the judges were any better than the politicians. They come from the same corrupt party system and work their way up by promising favors and having favors done for them. To them all it is a game, push and twist and tweek every letter and nuance of the law to their advantage. Gone is their morality. Anything they can get away with is "legal".
billengr99
April 20, 2007 2:14 p.m.
Must agree with 2 shoes..can't judge some by actions of others. I do hope this judge is simply setting the stage for Jim Black...This man could have done better... AlsoI Hope Basnight slips up and gets caught..Put some trust back in Raleigh and the good politicians who try to do right.
OLD PIRATE
April 20, 2007 2:08 p.m.
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