Former State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, who also served as the state chairman for presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Sphere: Related ContentRavenel, 45, admitted during a hearing that he bought cocaine from several different people and said he used the drug sometimes as often as once a week.
“I pled guilty today because I was guilty,” Ravenel said in a statement after the hearing. “I’m looking very forward to putting this sad chapter behind me and moving forward. I’m very remorseful for my behavior.”
Ravenel resigned a month after his June indictment. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, though his plea agreement calls for a reduced sentence because he is helping prosecutors with their investigation. [MEG KINNARD - AP]
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AP NewsBreak: Ravenel co-defendant Michael Miller agrees to plead guilty
By MEG KINNARD,
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A man who was indicted in a cocaine conspiracy case with former South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has agreed to plead guilty to two federal drug charges, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
Michael Miller, 25, and Ravenel were indicted in June on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine. Prosecutors have said Miller sold cocaine to Ravenel, who shared the drug with friends.
Ravenel, 45, pleaded guilty last month.
Miller was later indicted on eight distribution charges, which U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd has said were not related to Ravenel.
According to the agreement, Miller will plead guilty to conspiracy with intent to distribute and one other distribution charge. The other charges will be dropped, according to the agreement.
Miller faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each charge, but the plea deal indicates he may face a lesser penalty.
Sentences for both Ravenel and Miller will be based on an amount of cocaine less than 100 grams, according to their agreements.
Last month, Miller pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and was released to his mother’s custody on a $25,000 secured bond.
Miller also was originally indicted on a state drug trafficking charge, which was dropped.
A third man indicted in the case, Pasquale Pellicoro did not show up last month for an initial court appearance, and the judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Pellicoro, who worked with a Charleston area wine business, is an Italian citizen who had not been asked to surrender his passport, so he could have left the country, prosecutors have said.
Michael Miller, Co-defendant of former SC treasurer Thomas Ravenel, arrested while free on bail
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/575/story/272678.html