Judge OKs Sending Black to Prison at Butner

Raleigh, N.C. — A federal judge has approved a request by former House Speaker Jim Black to serve his sentence for a public corruption conviction at the federal prison in Butner.

U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle ordered Black to report to prison by next Monday, but the 72-year-old Mecklenburg County Democrat has asked to delay reporting until Sept. 10 so he could go to some medical appointments and be sentenced on state charges.

Black was sentenced two weeks ago to 63 months in prison after pleading guilty to a federal charge of accepting an illegal gratuity. He admitted accepting more than $25,000 in cash from chiropractors over several years while backing legislation favorable to the industry in the state House.

Black is scheduled to be sentenced on state bribery and obstruction of justice charges next Tuesday. Federal prosecutors said in court papers filed Wednesday that the sentencing would be delayed if Black is required to report to prison on Monday as initially ordered.

Boyle hasn't yet ruled on Black's request for a delay.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has the final say in determining where Black will serve his sentence.