E-mails offer glimpse of Ravenel's world

Treasurer might have used state time for Guiliani campaign work

COLUMBIA — Weeks before state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel was indicted on a federal cocaine charge, his supporters were encouraging him to run for the U.S. Senate, an Associated Press review of e-mail records shows.

The Charleston developer's acquaintances were asking for help getting jobs. And Ravenel, who also spent some of his official state time tinkering with a letter of support for his chosen presidential candidate, Rudy Giuliani, was looking to buy a new boat.

"I already have a 29 footer that I keep at Seabreeze marina," Ravenel wrote in a May 30 e-mail to a boat dealer. "It's a bit big for the creek surrounding my place, Brookland Plantation, on Edisto Island."

E-mail records obtained by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act don't shed light on what led to the June 19 federal charge: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine. But the messages do offer a glimpse into the life of a multimillionaire, first-term state official whose time was spent in part fielding requests for favors, considering loftier political goals and potentially violating state ethics rules.

The e-mails indicate Ravenel used public time and his state e-mail account as part of his work as Giuliani's campaign chairman in South Carolina, which ethics experts say is apparently barred under state regulations.

Ravenel's arraignment on the drug charge is scheduled for today, but he'll be thousands of miles away. Court documents said he entered a 30-day program at an Arizona psychiatric hospital that specializes in addiction and behavioral disorder treatment.

Authorities have said Ravenel, 44, is accused of sharing cocaine with friends, not selling the drug. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Ravenel has not responded to messages since he was indicted. Bart Daniel, a Charleston attorney representing Ravenel on the drug charge, did not respond to an e-mail from the AP on Thursday.

Just weeks before the indictment, the Republican's life seemed to be on a very different track.

There were more than a dozen requests from people around South Carolina, including fellow alumni of The Citadel military college, urging him to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2008.

"This Country is in deep trouble and the only way we can get back on track is to get guys like you elected into National Offices," said an e-mail to Ravenel signed by Mike Klepfer.

Others beseeched Ravenel to help them find jobs for themselves or others.

"As a third generation law enforcement representative, he will serve our state in an exemplary manner and carry on a legacy of excellence that is truly needed in our state's governmental agencies," said an e-mail signed by Harvey Senter about a fellow Citadel graduate seeking a job with the state Department of Natural Resources.

Ravenel and his spokesman also bantered via computer during work hours about an op-ed by Ravenel encouraging South Carolinians to support Giuliani, the former New York mayor.

"The two most central issues the next President will face will be how to protect us against terror and how to keep our economy growing," wrote Ravenel, who has stepped down as Giuliani's state chairman. "It will be a daunting task, but there is no question in my mind that Rudy Giuliani is the right man for the job."

South Carolina government ethics rules prohibit any state worker from using time on the job, or state equipment, to work on political campaigns.

One government watchdog who was provided copies of the e-mails by the AP said that while Ravenel's messages don't necessarily show he was shirking his treasurer duties to do work for the campaign, any public time spent on political business is too much.

"There's a reason why public employees don't mix their official duty with partisan politics," said James Benton, ethics director for Washington, D.C.-based Common Cause.

Without speaking specifically about the Ravenel e-mails, the head of the State Ethics Commission said there are no exceptions for such breaking such rules.

"You can't even use a copier and then reimburse later," said Herb Hayden, executive director of the commission.

Penalties for violating state ethics rules can reach fines of up to $2,000. Accusations can be referred to the state Attorney General's office for criminal action and violators can face a $5,000 fine and up to one year in jail for each charge, Hayden said.