Governor suspends state treasurer after cocaine indictment
By Brian Hicks , Yvonne Wenger
Updated 06:10 p.m., June 19, 2007
State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel was indicted Tuesday on charges of cocaine possession and intent to distribute it. Gov. Mark Sanford immediately suspended him from state office.
"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," Gov. Sanford said Tuesday afternoon. "These are obviously very serious allegations that we're constitutionally bound to act upon, and they'll ultimately be decided by the courts."
At a press conference late Tuesday, South Carolina Law Enforcement Department Chief Robert Stewart said Ravenel emerged as a participant in an ongoing cocaine sting in Charleston County. He said Ravenel was charged with possession and was sharing - not selling - powder cocaine with an undisclosed number of people.
All of the charges stem from incidents that date back into 2005, meaning Ravenel was in possession of cocaine during his 2006 campaign for state Treasurer. He defeated longtime incumbent Grady Patterson in that race.
Also named in the Ravenel indictment is Michael L. Miller, 25, of Mount Pleasant. Officials would not comment on the relationship between the two.
As a result of these charges, Ravenel could face up to 20 years in jail and a fine of $1 million.
Reach Brian Hicks at (843)937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com
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hipcarves (anonymous) says...
define hypocrite....republican with a conservative agenda...and this guy was being touted as a senatorial canidate.....the state gop had better screen their canidates a LOT more thoroughly..............
June 19, 2007 at 10:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mazzell58 (anonymous) says...
For those who believe in Thomas Ravenel, They can only hope he does not receive the "Carolina Justice" that was dealt to Paul Mazzell in 1983.
June 20, 2007 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TammyChubb (anonymous) says...
NO DOUBT!!!!!! DEAR, THOMAS RAVENEL JUST A NOTE OF CONCERN; CHOOSE YOUR REPRESENTIVE WISELY... YOU CAN ONLY HOPE THAT OUR NEW SOLICITOR DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME PERSONAL AMBITIONS AS OUR FORMER SOLICITOR CHARLIE CONDON. FOR HE IS WELL KNOWN TO SEEK OUT THE DEATH PENALTY ON INNOCENT PEOPLE. ALL THE WHILE, KNOWING OF THEIR INNOCENCE. BE CAUSIOUS, YOUR LIFE MAY BE AT STAKE IF THERE ARE POLITICAL AMBITIONS TO GAIN. I JUST WANTED TO SEND YOU A HEADS UP ON THE "CAROLINA JUSTICE" THAT I KNOW OF. TAMMY CHUBB
June 20, 2007 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
politicosc (anonymous) says...
The guy is blowing cocain and is in control of state funds. If you get caught you deserve "carolina Justice". He wasn't feeling bad about it when he thought no one knew. I am not feeling so bad for him.
PS. I have it on authority that Andre' Bauer is looking for a new Hookup.
Cheers.
June 20, 2007 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
politicosc (anonymous) says...
By the way tammy. It's a federal charge. It is with the US attorney's office.
June 20, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
politicosc (anonymous) says...
By the way Tammy, it's a federal charge. It is with the US attorney's office.
June 20, 2007 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
bkeelin (anonymous) says...
What a disappointment he has turned out to be. Public officials are much more highly visible and he needs to get help for his cocaine problem. He is supposed to be socially conservative or so I thought. We messed up on electing him in the primary.
June 20, 2007 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bkeelin (anonymous) says...
The Holy city does have a dark side and this will not even be a blip on the radar. It will take a lot more than a cocaine bust to bring light to the darkness hidden in Charleston.
June 20, 2007 at 12:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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