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Republican S.C. state treasurer Thomas Ravenel has been suspended over an indictment accusing him of distribution of cocaine.
The investigation started before Ravenel was elected, but State Law Enforcement Division officers didn’t have enough evidence yet to charge him.
He is accused of purchasing drugs from Michael Miller and wasn’t selling the drugs, but rather, was giving them away.
A quote from Governor Mark Sanford, also a Republican:
“Given the grave nature of these charges and what is alleged in this indictment, we’re left with no choice but to suspend Treasurer Ravenel immediately,” Governor Mark Sanford said in a written release. “These are obviously very serious allegations that we’re constitutionally bound to act upon, and they’ll ultimately be decided by the courts.”
The governor quoted Article VI, Section 8 of the South Carolina Constitution, giving him the power to suspend statewide, county or city officials indicted on criminal charges for crimes of “moral turpitude,” generally understood to mean crimes that involve acts of fraud, deception or other morally culpable conduct.
Sanford said he plans to make a decision on an interim appointment as soon as possible.
The Ravenel name is well-known in the Palmetto state, as I remember hearing the name in elections going back to when I moved here.
Ravenel was Giuliani’s campaign manager in South Carolina.
A comment from the Republican party spokesperson:
State Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson released the following statement:
“The charges brought against State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel today are very serious. This is a personal matter that will be dealt with through appropriate legal channels. We hope this unfortunate situation is resolved quickly.”
Here is the Democratic party’s response:
“In only a few months, Thomas Ravenel has gone from spoiled rich kid buying his way into office to common street criminal. He is an embarrassment to the state and an embarrassment to the Office of Treasurer. It’s a shame that Grady Patterson - an absolutely honorable man and a true patriot - was replaced by Thomas Ravenel as State Treasurer.”
Note to the Democratic Party: He may very well be found guilty in court, but at this time our constitution presumes him innocent until proven guilty and you should correct your statement to reflect that.
Written by ~J~
RICH Says:
July 10th, 2007 at 7:14 pmVisit RICH
How about the other local politicians and well known dignitaries that played in the snow with T-Rav. I noticed that the P&C has very little about this story, jeez I wonder why. Who are they trying to protect. I hear this story hits close to home with them, those in the know, know what I’m talking about. The party in the battery, the hidden cameras, those who flipped and mentioned names. A good investigative reporter could have a field day with this story and probably sell a screenplay. City Paper and The State-keep on top of this story because you own it. The P&C doesn’t want to get dirty with this one.
~J~ Says:
July 10th, 2007 at 7:27 pmVisit ~J~
Rich,
What is the P&C and if you’re in the Charleston area maybe you can explain what you are saying, as I have heard nothing in this part of the state about it since it first went out.
Then again I’m in the Charlotte TV market and it does very little SC political reporting. Another thing is I don’t watch the local or network news.
I’d like to see what you’re talking about so we can check it out.
Didn’t Ravenel check into rehab? That seems to be the normal thing for politicians to do when in trouble. The problem is like quitting smoking, though. You have to want to quit before it takes.
Thanks for your visit and your comment. I hope you continue to visit us.
MS Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 7:13 amVisit MS
political class, coupled with the distribution charge - not solely possession - suggests that Ravenel was spreading the white wealth around. Governor Mark Sanford seemed apologetic, if not downright hesitant, to expel Ravenel from the South Carolina political administration, saying “These are obviously very serious allegations that we’re constitutionally bound to act upon, and they’ll ultimately be decided by the courts.” So, in other words, had the state constitution not outlined the firing of criminal politicians, he would not necessarily do it. One suggestion I would make is to have the Federal Election Commission look into Mr. Ravenel’s finances because it is not cheap to run for office in a statewide election and the business of selling blow tends to be a profitable one.
Indictment Says:
July 14th, 2007 at 8:24 amVisit Indictment
PRESS NOTICE
REGINALD I. LLOYD
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
1441 Main Street, Suite 500 * Columbia, SC 29201 * (803) 929-3000*
June 19, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT PERSON: KEVIN F. MCDONALD
(803) 929-3000
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE TREASURER THOMAS RAVENEL
INDICTED ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGE
Columbia, South Carolina —- United States Attorney REGINALD I. LLOYD stated today that South Carolina State Treasurer THOMAS RAVENEL, age 44, of Charleston, along with another man, MICHAEL L. MILLER, age 25, of Mt. Pleasant, were charged in one-count Indictment this afternoon with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.
The Indictment reads as follows:
THE GRAND JURY CHARGES:
That beginning at a time unknown to the grand jury, but beginning at least in or around late 2005, and continuing thereafter, up to and including the date of this Indictment, in the District of South Carolina, the defendants, THOMAS RAVENEL and MICHAEL L. MILLER, knowingly and intentionally did combine, conspire and agree together and have tacit understanding with each other and others, both known and unknown to the grand jury, to knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C);
All in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.
Mr. Lloyd stated the maximum penalty RAVENEL and MILLER could receive is a fine of $1,000,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 20 years.
Mr. Lloyd stated that the case was investigated by agents of the FBI and SLED, and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney William Witherspoon of the Columbia office for prosecution.
Mr. Lloyd stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The Indictment reads as follows:
I DON’T SEE ANY LANGUAGE IN THE DOCUMENT THAT SAYS….HE WAS “JUST SHARING WITH FRIENDS”……..
……………IT STATES: ” AND TO DISTIBUTE A QUANTITY OF COCAINE”
You can try to sugar coat an indictment if you want to, but “cocaine distribution” IS “Cocaine Distribution” IT IS WHAT IT IS!
~J~ Says:
July 14th, 2007 at 11:46 amVisit ~J~
I don’t know of anyone on this site who has tried to sugar-coat it or said it’s right.
He is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and we have to remember that is our system of justice. I do think he’s guilty though.
You can run Says:
July 16th, 2007 at 3:22 pmVisit You can run
..but you can’t hide.
If Ravenel is convicted of distribution of cocaine, he can serve as much as 20 years in prison. I would say that it is more likely that he will cut a “plea deal” to serve a short amount of time behind bars along with probation.
If Ravenel cuts a “plea deal”, in other words, “pleads guilty” then the Feds should insist that he roll over on a “Bigger Fish” If he does not roll over, then he should do some serious jail time with the rest of the “Cocaine Distributors”.
~J~ Says:
July 16th, 2007 at 5:51 pmVisit ~J~
You’ve used so many aliases I don’t know how to address you, but you apparently have got it in for Ravenel. I’m not saying that’s wrong.
What I am saying is if you would like to write a piece that expresses everything you know about Ravenel’s situation please do so and send it to the address on the sidebar. Put Ravenel Post For Js Cafenette in the subject line so it doesn’t get deleted when I check my spam.
I’ll post it with no edits except spelling errors or profanity.
If that’s a deal let me know so I keep my spam filter as clean as possible so I can watch for your email.