news-record.com

RALEIGH — Former state Rep. Michael Decker prepared Tuesday to begin serving a federal prison sentence for accepting a bribe to switch political parties, a deal that helped then-House Speaker Jim Black retain power but also led to his downfall.

Decker, 62, was ordered to report to a prison in Bennettsville, S.C., by noon, according to his attorney. A spokesman at the prison, located about 130 miles from Decker's home in Forsyth County, said the ex-lawmaker had not arrived late in the morning.

A judge sentenced Decker in April to four years in prison on one count of soliciting and accepting $50,000 in cash and campaign contributions to switch from the Republican to Democratic party in early 2003. The start of his prison term already has been delayed once.

"He's ready to serve his time," said David Freedman, Decker's lawyer.

Decker's time could be reduced. Prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge James Dever III to cut Decker's sentence in half because he provided "extraordinary" information that helped bring down Black, who is serving a five-year prison sentence for political corruption.

Freedman said he also planned to file a motion in support of the reduction.

Decker could see any sentence reduced by 15 percent for good behavior in prison.

Prosecutors said Decker was prepared to testify for the government in Black's federal and state sentencing hearings in July. Black was fined $1 million on state charges of obstruction of justice and bribery.

Black denied bribing Decker but accepted punishment in February on the state charges. In federal court, Black pleaded guilty to taking thousands of dollars in cash from chiropractors while pushing their agenda at the state Legislature. He was sentenced to five years in prison on that charge.