Ravenel resigns
The timing seems quite odd on this, but Thomas Ravenel has formally vacated the post of State Treasurer nearly a month after he was indicted on federal cocaine charges.
Ravenel returned to the state Sunday after leaving an Arizona rehab facility where he spent much of the last month.
Ravenel, 44, appeared in court for the first time to face a charge of possession with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine. His attorneys entered a not guilty plea earlier this month.
Prosecutors have said he shared cocaine with his friends and did not sell the drug.
“I’m deeply disappointed in myself,” Ravenel said outside the courthouse. He apologized to the state and to his family.
He said he already told Gov. Mark Sanford about the resignation, which was effective Tuesday. [AP]
Much, much, much more to follow…
He did the right thing to give his resignation and move on with his life .
Rudy’s Coke Addict/Coke Dealer Resigns As State Treasurer…
A month after he was indicted on federal cocaine-dealing charges, Republican hero Thomas Ravenal has finally resigned as South Carolina’s state treasurer and Rudy Giuliani’s campaign chairman for the state. The 44-year-old cokehead has, of …
…But, I am “NOT guilty”!
…And, I resign as treasurer.
The Federal system will reward the defendant(Ravenel) if he rolls over on a “BIGGER FISH” or if he rolls over on the “so-called” friends that he was “distributing cocaine to”, oops, I mean “sharing cocaine with”. That’s what the “plea deal” will be about, stay tuned a “plea deal” will be coming to your area soon.
Shortly after Ravenel’s indictment, it was reported that:
Republican Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, who ran on the statewide GOP ticket with Ravenel last year, told NewsChannel 15, “Thomas is a friend of mine, and you don’t leave friends in a difficult time”.
“Thomas Ravenel’s surprise resignation”…is a signal he won’t challenge the evidence against him…
“The U.S. Attorney’s office said Tuesday it had no idea Ravenel was going to resign”.
After he graduated in 1985, Ravenel wandered aimlessly for a while, working alternately as a carpenter, handyman, lawn mower, painter, landscaper. He ran for the state House, his first foray into the politics he’d grown up around, but didn’t win.
It soon turned around for Ravenel when he got his real estate license. He began selling houses and land — “whatever I could,” Ravenel said in 2004. He borrowed money from his father to get an MBA at the University of South Carolina in 1991, then started the Ravenel Development Corp. It was a success, allowing him to quickly repay his father.
During the next decade, Ravenel developed 60 shopping centers in 10 states, beginning with buildings to house Advance Auto Parts stores. He became a business landlord and learned a lot about banking. He started building grocery stores. The only thing his businesses had in common was that they made money.
In 2004, Ravenel reported his net-worth as $34,000,000.00
Miller allegedly sold 14 grams of cocaine - about 1/2 ounce - to an undercover law enforcement officer at a Charleston apartment complex in January of last year, according to an arrest affidavit.
If convicted of the state charge, Miller faces a prison term of three to 10 years and a fine of $25,000. Under state law, no part of the prison sentence may be suspended and no probation can be given.
[...] Sen. Greg Ryberg (R-Aiken) by a vote of 122-34. He fills the vacancy left by Thomas Ravenel, who resigned last Tuesday after a federal indictment for cocaine distribution [...]