Judge weighs tougher term for Decker

RALEIGH (Winston-Salem Journal) - A federal judge has indicated that he might pursue a tougher sentence for Michael Decker, a former state legislator who pleaded guilty in August to switching parties in exchange for campaign contributions.

Decker, a former state representative from Forsyth County, had hoped to get leniency for helping federal authorities investigate former House Speaker Jim Black.

But in a court filing, Judge James C. Dever III of U.S. District Court wrote that he “is contemplating an upward departure” from the sentence recommended under federal law, The Charlotte Observer reported. Dever said that the advisory sentence is “incorrect and fails to account for the benefits” that Decker received for his crimes.

Decker’s attorney, David Freedman, filed a response yesterday, saying he opposes Dever’s view and expects federal prosecutors to oppose a tougher sentence. Freedman said that Decker has cooperated fully in Black’s prosecution.