Unidentified lobbyist is Beason

bkrueger — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:34:07 -0400

It's Don Beason.

Evidence in the sentencing hearing this morning of former House Speaker Jim Black identified Beason as the previously unidentified lobbyist who Black says loaned him $500,000 to help him complete a real estate transaction in Charlotte.

Beason could not immediately be reached for comment.

Looking at an enlarged version of a Wachovia Bank check from June 28, 2000, for $500,000, Black confirmed that it was one of two checks he received from Beason, one of the state's most influential lobbyists.

Update: Wade Smith, a Raleigh attorney who is representing Beason, said this afternoon that he has no comment on what was said in court today.

Update: Prosecutors asked Black if he asked his secretary to backdate a refund check to Beason to before the June 30 reporting deadline for campaign finance.

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Unidentified lobbyist is Beason