Black seeking alcohol treatment while in federal prison

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former House Speaker Jim Black asked a federal judge today to recommend alcohol treatment for him while serving his upcoming prison sentence.

Black is a Mecklenburg County Democrat and was sentenced last week to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to one corruption-related count in February.

Attorneys for Black wrote in a court filing that Black will ask the court to recommend alcohol treatment while he is incarcerated.

Black's attorneys asked earlier this week that US District Judge Terrence Boyle delay the start of his prison sentence until September Tenth. Black currently is supposed to report to prison July 30.

Boyle has ordered Black to abstain from alcohol.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)