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Decker took funds for a ride: Disclosures tell of travel outside N.C(News & Observer, The (Raleigh, NC) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Aug. 5--State legislators tend to focus their campaign spending on such things as mail, advertising and campaign staff. But from the look of former Rep. Michael Decker's campaign finance reports from 2003 and 2004, he was as interested in seeing the United States as in preparing for a re-election campaign. Decker's disclosure forms show payments in 2003 and 2004 to hotels, gas stations and convenience stores through the Southeast, central and southwestern United States. In October 2003, Decker used campaign money to pay for a stay at a Super 8 in Marion and a Days Inn in Blytheville, Ark. In November 2004, Decker used campaign money to help pay for a trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. In February 2004, he spent campaign money on gasoline in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. He used some to buy a used vehicle. At the time, North Carolina law allowed politicians to spend campaign money on whatever they wanted, as long as they disclosed the spending. State legislators passed a law this year to curb the use of campaign contributions for personal expenses. It is unclear whether Decker took all the road trips himself or spent the money for someone else's travel. He did not return a phone call Friday. Decker's lawyer, David Freedman of Winston-Salem, did not know the details of his client's travel. "He liked to get in his van and drive," Freedman said. Decker spent about $4,000 on such travel during the two years he reported collecting $54,302 in campaign contributions. Decker, who was in the House for 20 years, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to a conspiracy charge. He told federal prosecutors he agreed to support Democrat Jim Black of Mecklenburg County for House speaker in exchange for a legislative job for Decker's son and $50,000. Prosecutors said much of that money went into Decker's campaign account. Decker, a Republican in a heavily GOP district in Forsyth County, switched parties in January 2003 and announced he was voting for Black. Republicans held rallies in Decker's district, called him a traitor and demanded his resignation. Decker collected campaign money with Black's help and with contributions coming from optometrists, chiropractors and other Black supporters. Black has said he did not pay Decker or offer him anything for his support. Decker switched his party affiliation back to Republican after the 2003 legislative session; he lost his primary in 2004. Chris Heagarty, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, said contributors don't expect money they give candidates to be used for leisure travel. "A lot of people who have given contributions and give up their hard-earned money do it because they think the candidate needs help, not because they think the candidate needs to play the back nine at Pinehurst 2," he said. Decker told prosecutors he received $12,000 in cash as part of his deal to switch parties, money that does not appear in campaign finance reports. "It just got spent," Freedman said. "It did not go to campaign expenses." |