State Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, says he won't join a growing list of fellow Democrats turning their backs on embattled House Speaker Jim Black.

Black, D-Mecklenburg, is the apparent subject of a federal investigation into the state lottery and the video poker game industry. Additionally, former state Rep. Michael Decker has named Black as a co-conspirator in a scheme that helped Black keep the speakership in 2003, when Decker switched parties.

Black has denied any criminal wrongdoing. And Owens said he will stand by him as long as he remains innocent of any crimes.

"I'm supporting (Black) in whatever endeavors he wants to do, unless he's proven guilty of a crime," Owens said Thursday in an interview following his visit to an Elizabeth City dialysis center.

Noting that Black has spent more than $1 million on legal expenses but still hasn't been charged with any crimes, Owens said it's way past time for prosecutors to show their hand — if they've got the evidence.

"I've always said, if he's done something wrong, come out and say it — indict him and be through with it. Otherwise, I think Jim Black has been good to eastern North Carolina," Owens said. "He's been good to me, personally. And I've always found him to be an honest and hard-working person."

Owens has long held that the allegations of political corruption swirling around Black are politically motivated. He hasn't changed that view, despite the fact dozens of Black's associates have appeared before a federal grand jury in Raleigh in recent months, and in October, Black's appointee to the lottery commission, Kevin Geddings, was convicted of fraud.

"As the speaker, he used to put up $650,000 (of his own campaign funds) every election cycle to help us get our Democrats elected and this year couldn't put up a dime," Owens said. "I'm not sure whether that was politically motivated or not. (But) it kept his campaign from being able to raise money and kept him from contributing to the Democratic caucus. On the other hand, my prediction did not come true that they would indict (Black) on the day before the election."

At this point, Black's re-election is not even assured. Black is awaiting a recount after polling just seven more votes in the 100th House District than Hal Jordan, his Republican challenger. If Black were to survive Jordan's challenge, the question remains about whether he can regain the support of his Democratic colleagues to keep the speaker's post. A number of political analysts don't think that Black has that support.

Owens, however, plans to remain in Black's corner — unless he's convicted of a crime.

"Even if he is indicted, it doesn't mean he's guilty," he said. "That's just saying we think you may have done this or this or this. I believe in loyalty."