Black admits he made mistakes

He also swears off lobbyists' gifts

By David Rice
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL

RALEIGH

House Speaker Jim Black admitted making mistakes yesterday by appointing lottery operative Kevin Geddings to the N.C. Lottery Commission and making lobbyist Meredith Norris his political director.

The speaker - who is embroiled in speculation about a federal investigation into influence by the video-poker and lottery industries - also announced that he will no longer accept gifts from lobbyists.