The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has just announced that State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has been indicted by federal jury on cocaine distribution charges.
Ravenel, who was elected last fall, was named the Chairman of presidential candidate Rudy Giualiani’s (R-N.Y.) South Carolina campaign in April.
Said Giuliani at the time, “I’m looking forward to working with Thomas to continue sharing my vision across the state.” He may very well regret those words.
Stay tuned for more…
_________________
UPDATE 2: Ravenel has been suspended. Gov. Mark Sanford will be appointing an interim State Treasurer.
_________________
UPDATE: This just in from The State:
Sphere: Related ContentState Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has been indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, federal and state authorities announced at a news conference at SLED headquarters this afternoon.
The Charleston Republican raised millions of dollars to unseat long-term Democratic incumbent Grady Patterson in November.
Ravenel, 44, is a millionaire real estate developer and the son of Arthur Ravenel Jr., a powerful South Carolina politician who served in the General Assembly and the U.S. House.
As treasurer, Ravenel is responsible for handling the state’s finances and investments. He also holds a seat on the powerful State Budget and Control Board, which controls much of the state bureaucracy. His salary is $92,007.
Check back throughout the evening and in Wednesday’s editions of The State newspaper for updates on this story. [The State]
This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 5:09 pm and is filed under Executive, Judicial, Primary Season, Ravenel indictment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
[...] bad that your South Carolina campaign chair is indicted for conspiring to peddle crack cocaine? (Another reason I’m happy I made phone calls in 2004 for DeMint. Imagine if this guy had won [...]
Giuliani’s toast.
Cocaine is a hell of a drug!
[...] The Palmetto Scoop reports that the South Carolina State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has been indicted by federal jury on cocaine distribution charges. Ravenel was named the Chairman of presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani’s South Carolina campaign in April. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
Hey Rudy — GET ME THE GOOD STUFF!
WOW. With McCain dropping like a fly and Thompson sure to fall this opens the door for Romney. Keep the cocaine comin’ Rudy!
[...] Comments Wes on BREAKING: Thomas Ravenel indicted on federal drug chargesDoin’ Lines on BREAKING: Thomas Ravenel indicted on federal drug chargesVolunteer Voters » [...]
[...] bad that your South Carolina campaign chair is indicted for conspiring to peddle crack cocaine? (Another reason I’m happy I made phone calls in 2004 for DeMint. Imagine if this guy had won [...]
[...] Comments For President » Rudy’s bad day on BREAKING: Thomas Ravenel indicted on federal drug chargesDoin’ Lines on Cocaine cohort named in Ravenel indictmentcurious on Giuliani statement on Ravenel [...]
Wasn’t he like F-ing loaded? What did he need to sell coke for?
That’s bizarre. Ravenel comes from one of the oldest and wealthiest families in South Carolina. The Ravenel plantation was one of the largest producers of rice before the Civil War.
People, people, people…please keep up with the story. He is accused of purchasing a large quantity of cocaine for distribution to his “friends” not for resale. As one of the other writers mentioned, he’s loaded! Not that it makes that much difference legally.
Rudi needs to drop him.
What ever happened to Innocent until proven guilty?
Was this a criminal trying to get a lighter sentence by testifying about someone else?
This trick of the trade happened to a contractor in New Jersey and the corrupt prosecutor met his match. The prosecutor ended up loosing his job and blowing his head off in Las Vegas.
Ravenel a rising star who the insiders are afraid may threaten their control and position?
Giuliani must be doing very well and they will stop at nothing to get there money man in there?
From our experience the SC Law Enforcement Division (SCLED it under the rug) are pretty political and corrupt. They will do nothing about political corruption but will tap your phone if you even run in an election against the established candidate.
Great point “informed,” this really smells of politically scandalous prosecution to me, Democrats practically run this state, and all of the judges are Democrats to the hilt. This is just what they’ll sink to in order to down a rising star in the Republican party.
Democrats practically run this state…
Since when?
It was a REPUBLICAN prosecutor who brought the charges against him. One that Flimsy Grahamnesty recommended as U.S. Attorney…So when you add two plus two…I guess Grahamnesty won’t have to worry about his Senate seat in ‘08…
I should have been more clear, “informed” comments were so absolutely ludicrous I thought my sarcasm would have been apparent, but sarcasm is not alwasy easy to portry in the written form.
What is it with these South Carolina Republicans, at least the ones in Charleston? Anyone remember Sidi Limehouse?
Do not forget that most of these SC Republicans are former Democrats who just found it convient to be Republicans to keep or get their access to the easy money and connections in government.
Just another hard working Repugnant businessman! Remember…he’s not a politician!
[...] Comments Moe4 on BREAKING: Thomas Ravenel indicted on federal drug chargesinformed on BREAKING: Thomas Ravenel indicted on federal drug chargeshardheaded liberal on BREAKING: [...]
[...] could get out that your campaign director in South Carolina was federally indicted for selling cocaine. No, that’s not a typo–this isn’t some garden-variety GOP fraud like robocalls or [...]
We need drug testing in the statehouse .
This is hilarious. But I guess as “T-Rav” said in the ‘06 Treasure’s race—-that’s the way I roll! Well, Roll on Mr.Treasurer and take your buddy Jim Dimwit with you.
Where was the media when this guy was running for office?
They always selectively check into the past and current activities of politicians?
Obviously, it is who you are…not what you are that counts in politics.
Cudos for Governor Sanford for doing the right thing, regardless!
Guiliani’s SC Campaign Chairman Indicted…
This “bad boy buddy getting in trouble” is becoming a regular thing with Rudy…
[...]…
http://www.culturalrevolutionary.com/
The democrats in South Carolina were dixiecrats. When it became unfashionable to be a racist in the deomcratic party the dixiecrats jumped ship and went to the party that accepts their racist feelings.
Hey Elrod - Are you really that shocked that the son of a wealthy Old South family who grew up to be a big time developer is doing coke with his well connected buddies? You need to get out more. The last thing some rich asshole politician needs is cocaine- he has a big enough mouth and ego already.
Could not have happened to a bigger jerk. Anyone that has run into this guy in the past couple of years know that this is NO SURPRISE.! Had a friend that was hired to do some work for the Real Estate Office and every day, “Rollin’ Thomas Gigglesnort Ravenel” would come by and nitpick their work. When they told him that they would ask that he run all requests for changes in construction plan by his father first as he was footing the bill, he would rant and rave and stomp around like the office like a three year old. How this guy got elected just shows how the political machine works. His father is one of the nicest people you would ever meet, but Thomas is the EXACT opposite.
Guess who his best buddy is? ANDRE BAUER! 10 bucks says Andre gets indicted next. Anyone who has been out and about Columbia and Charleston in the past couple of years knows that these guys are the “snow” more than an Olympic snowboarder. Met Andre and Thomas in a Chic-Fil-A right after Andre’s “accidental” plane crash. Thomas could not have been more rude and STUCK UP! Good riddance to BAD RUBBISH! HA! HA!
Yeah, right, this is a political hit by SLED? You gotta be kidding. Why would they “hit” a Republican? They are dominated by the GOP, and they do their political hits for the GOP. Just like when Brett Bursey was arrested first for “trespassing”, and, when that wouldn’t stick, for being in an area cordoned off for the protection of the president (Bush was in town). Only problem — there was only an imaginary rope marking the area. The rope moved wherever the demonstrators were — unless they were in the “Free Speech Zone.” As Bursey said, “I AM in a free speech zone. It’s called the United States of America.” SLED does its bidding for the GOP powers that be.
What I would like to see are the names of Thomas Ravenel’s “friends” that were on the receiving end of his cocaine gift. Publish those names and if they are in state government, give them the punishment they deserve too. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander!! I have lived in SC all my life but I have come to hate South Carolina politics. I can remember when I used to look forward to voting, but nowadays I’d rather stay at home and rock on my front porch.
POSTED BY A LIFE LONG S.C. RESIDENT
[...] Rudy Giualiani’s South Carolina Campaign Chairman Indicted on Cocaine Distribution Charges - The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has just announced that State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has been indicted by federal jury on cocaine distribution charges. Ravenel, who was elected last fall, was named the Chairman of presidential candidate Rudy Giualiani’s (R-N.Y.) South Carolina campaign in April. Considering Giualiani’s former police chief of New York and now this guy, what do you suppose his cabinet would look like if he was elected? [...]
[...] has had a terrible month. Recent news that his South Carolina Campaign Chairman Thomas Ravenel was distributing cocaine was followed up by information that he neglected his role on the Iraq Study Group to attend paid [...]
Everything is FINE! It’s fine, really, it’s fine. I’m not kidding…it’s fine. No, I’m not joking… everthing is fine. really….
Don’t pay attention to the campaign finance violations, or the suspended treasurer indicted for cocaine distribution or emails indicating ethics violations, or the State Budget and Control Board in disarray, or employee’s bolting out of the Treasury Agency, or The DOT, or The SBCB. Don’t pay attention to the suspended Treasurer that is in Rehab, everything is fine at the Treasury Dept. LISTEN TO ME! LISTEN! EVERYTHING IS FINE!
Trafficking is not limited to the substantive offenses of purchasing, possessing, and selling large amounts of controlled substances. Conspiring and attempting to do those acts also constitute trafficking. The part of the trafficking statute pertinent to this case is as follows: “Any person who knowingly … attempts[] or conspires to … purchase … ten grams or more of cocaine … is guilty of a felony which is known as ‘trafficking in cocaine.’” S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-370(e)(2) (2002).
Give the man a break. Enough is enough. It’s over with. I worked on Mr. Ravenel’s campaign for state treasurer, met him and felt he was sincere about wanting to make changes for our state. Was he high at the time? He was really smiling alot. I have no idea and don’t care. Everyone knows all politicians have skeletons in their closets just like everyone else. It’s the freaking government. I mean the man ruined his family name. If he could run again I’d back him up 100%. It’s just too bad he was not Ravenel, a new treasurer but Ravenel, a temporary treasurer. Best of luck to you Thomas.
Everyone, go home. Get lives. Leave it alone. “Was he high at the time?” God, give me a break.
Beaufort attorney to be arraigned today
Published Tue, Aug 7, 2007
By LORI YOUNT
lyount@beaufortgazette.com
A Beaufort attorney who police say fled the country while rescuers were searching for him in Lowcountry waters is scheduled for an arraignment and extradition proceedings this morning in Buffalo, N.Y., according to authorities.
Michael Timothy Jordan, 45, who runs a real estate law office in Professional Village Circle on Lady’s Island, was arrested Friday while trying to cross the Canadian border back into the United States.
Jordan is charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent for transferring $2.35 million paid by a Hollywood real estate client from a trust account at Wachovia Bank into an account at Beaufort-based Lowcountry National Bank without the client’s knowledge and for his personal use, according to a Charleston County Sheriff’s Office affidavit.
Jordan recently opened a law office in Charleston and is not connected to Michael L.M. Jordan or the McNair Law Firm on Hilton Head Island.
The Sheriff’s Office anticipates Jordan will face at least one more charge when he returns to South Carolina, which police expect to be this week, spokesman Capt. John Clark said.
Jordan is set to appear in Erie County, N.Y., Court at 9:30 this morning, said Buffalo police spokesman Mike DeGeorge, who said he expects the extradition process will begin today.
No one else has been charged in the case, but Clark said police suspect Jordan had help fleeing the country and are investigating further.
Jordan’s wife, Diane Langston-Jordan, reported him missing at about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, about six hours after she said she last talked to him on the phone, according to authorities. Jordan told his wife he was taking out a 15-foot john boat to meet family members, according to police.
Langston-Jordan told police their marriage was in trouble, according to a Sheriff’s Office report. When questioned she at first said she didn’t know anything about Jordan’s life insurance but later said he had a $3 million policy, according to the report.
An 18-hour Coast Guard search and rescue operation followed and was called off late Thursday after Jordan’s boat was found but not Jordan.
The Coast Guard is investigating the incident to determine whether it was a false call or a hoax, spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Eric King said.
If the case was a hoax, King said the government will try to recoup the $64,800 it spent on the rescue mission through a civil suit.
[...] Senator Larry Craig is arrested for lewd conduct in the men’s bathroom of an airportJune 19, 2007: South Carolina Republican state Treasurer and South Carolina Chairman of Giuliani for President [...]
[...] June 19, 2007: South Carolina Republican state Treasurer and South Carolina Chairman of Giuliani for President Thomas Ravenel is indicted by a grand jury on cocaine distribution charges [...]
[...] I didn’t have time to cover this yesterday, but the man who said he sold drugs to former state treasurer Thomas Ravenel is back in jail. Michael Miller was placed in federal custody after he reportedly struck a police officer in Charleston — something that will likely hurt the deal he cut with federal prosecutors to get a reduced prison sentence in the Ravenel case. [...]
[...] could get out that your campaign director in South Carolina was federally indicted for selling cocaine. No, that’s not a typo–this isn’t some garden-variety GOP fraud like robocalls or [...]