Wood subpoenaed in poker industry probe

A former state lawmaker from High Point is among the latest witnesses subpoenaed to appear before the State Board of Elections next week when it examines the video poker industry and other contributors to House Speaker Jim Black’s campaign, elections director Gary Bartlett said Friday.

Steve Wood served eight terms in the state House before he lost in the 2004 Republican primary. Wood was viewed with suspicion among Republicans because he voted for Black, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, for Black’s first term as speaker in 1999.

The vote caused House Republicans to throw Wood out of their caucus. Wood did not support the coalition Black and Rep. Richard Morgan led in the 2003-04 session.

Bartlett would not say why Wood was subpoenaed. Wood’s campaign finance reports show little fundraising activity, except for the first half of 2000, when he received five contributions from chiropractors and their political action committee. One of those contributors, Steve Willen, has been subpoenaed. Wood could not be reached.

Chiropractors have helped Black with political donations. Last year, he inserted in the state budget a provision that prevented health insurers from charging a higher copay for chiropractic services than for primary care doctors.