From TPM Muckraker we get the story of truly low-rent corruption, which ironically reaches hilarious new heights.
Jim Black was the Democratic Speaker of the North Carolina State Legislature when the Republicans squeaked out a very narrow winning margin of 61 Republicans to 59 Democrats. Black was out of the Speaker job unless he could do something. So he did something.
Jim black met long-time Republican House Member Micheal Decker in the restroom of an International House of Pancake (IHOP) and gave him $50,000 and some party perks to switch from being a Republican to being a Democrat. With Decker's support, Black then was elected co-Speaker of the House. His job was saved!
This, interestingly enough, was not the corruption for which Black was tried and convicted. This came up when Black admitted it during a Civil Case he is also involved in. The corruption for which Black has been convicted came after this bit of corruption. Go read the article at TPM Muckraker for the rest of the story.
But I have to [*] thank commenter JohnW1141 for providing the perfect title for this scandal. It is, and it has to be, the Black and Decker scandal.
[*] Well, I don't have to acknowledge JohnW1141. I could just steal his great line. But I won't. Ethics and all that.
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