Decker, a former House member from Forsyth County, admitted in federal court in August 2006 that he left the Republican Party and supported Black for a third term as speaker in exchange for a legislative job for Decker's son and $50,000. He pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge that said he deprived the public of his honest services by engaging in extortion, mail fraud and money laundering. He faces as much as five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Under the terms of his plea, Decker agreed to cooperate with state and federal authorities.

MEREDITH NORRIS

Norris, a former legislative aide to Black, became a lobbyist while continuing to serve as an unpaid political director for Black's campaign efforts. The News & Observer reported in September 2005 that she had worked on behalf of lottery vendor Scientific Games during the legislation session, when lawmakers were debating whether to establish a lottery but did not register to do so. She was found guilty in Wake District Court in August 2006 of lobbying law violations and banned from lobbying in the state for two years.

KEVIN L. GEDDINGS

Geddings, a Charlotte public relations executive, was named by Black to a seat on the state lottery commission. The N&O reported in October 2005 that Geddings had failed to disclose a past business relationship with Alan Middleton, a top executive with Scientific Games. Geddings resigned from the commission hours before Scientific Games disclosed that Geddings had worked for the company during the year as lawmakers hashed out the new lottery. Black said he was not aware of Geddings' ties to Scientific Games. Geddings was found guilty by a federal jury in October 2006 of five counts of mail fraud. He awaits sentencing.

ALAN MIDDLETON

Middleton, a former vice president with Scientific Games, was found guilty in Wake District Court in October 2006 of lobbying law violations. His appeal is pending. Records showed that Middleton used Norris to go between him and legislators on the lottery. Prosecutors on Geddings' trial said Black was meeting with Norris and Middleton at a steak restaurant in North Raleigh when he decided to appoint Geddings to the lottery commission.

R. SCOTT EDWARDS

Edwards, a former treasurer of the political action committee for the state's optometrists and a close ally of Black, pleaded guilty in Wake District Court this month to one felony count of obstruction of justice. He was fined $10,000. Earlier testimony in a state hearing had shown that optometrists sent signed checks, with the payee line left blank, to their PAC. Edwards then distributed the checks to candidates or deposited them in the PAC's account. Black said he filled in the blank payee line on three checks from optometrists and passed them to Decker's campaign.