Ex-treasurer will finish term at halfway house
Thomas Ravenel moved
By Schuyler Kropf
Former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, serving 10 months in prison on a cocaine charge, has been moved from the federal lockup in Jesup, Ga., to a halfway house in North Charleston, his attorney confirmed Wednesday.
The Post and Courier
Former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel
The move comes about six months into his sentence. For privacy reasons, officials won't disclose exactly where Ravenel is being housed.
Federal prisons officials said it is routine for an inmate to be reintroduced to his home community toward the latter part of a sentence.
The move allows the inmate to reunite with family, re-establish community ties, go to church and get a job during the day.
Ravenel's job likely will include transitioning back into his business as a commercial real estate developer, said his attorney, Bart Daniel of Charleston.
Ravenel was moved earlier this week. The time he spends in a halfway house is considered a continuation of his sentence.
His father, former South Carolina congressman and current Charleston County School Board member Arthur Ravenel Jr., on Wednesday declined to discuss his son's status.
Many federal prisoners who are released to halfway homes enter an Alston Wilkes Society Residential Re-entry Center.
Previous stories
Former Treasurer Ravenel reports to federal prison, published 05/30/08
Ravenel speaks as prison sentence looms: 'I just kind of went nuts', published 05/18/08
It is a private agency that operates under Bureau of Prison contracts and provides residential treatment for male and female clients.
Alston Wilkes has four residential centers in the state, including a site in North Charleston. Other sites are in Columbia, Florence and Greenville.
Residents of the centers are required to work, pay rent to defray their living expenses, participate in individual counseling programs and save a percentage of their income, the agency said.
Ravenel, 46, a Republican, was elected state treasurer in 2006. He was in office for about six months before he was indicted by authorities, who'd been tracking his drug use and reputed cocaine use in bars, clubs and mansions in Charleston.
Federal prosecutors said Ravenel used and shared the drug with friends but did not sell it.
He pleaded guilty to one federal count of conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced in March.
Ravenel also paid $250,000 in fines and restitution, including to the state of South Carolina to cover the cost of the Legislature's special session to pick his successor.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
spengler (anonymous) says...
chop chop. snort snort.
December 4, 2008 at 5:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
time served, i guess. man that was short?
December 4, 2008 at 6:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironhorse (anonymous) says...
We kick residents out of Gadsden Green for committing crimes but we put convicts in tax dollar paid housing as punishment for committing crimes?
December 4, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EqualityB4theLawThinkAgain (anonymous) says...
Talk about preferential treatment...if this had happened to a poor person they would be serving 85% of their sentence in a state prison. Plus, their assets would have been seized because of the "possible" link of the assets to profits made by selling drugs until they could prove otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised if Bush gave him a midnight pardon.
December 4, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
This is sad. This dirt bag should be in prison for a long time....
December 4, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ms_lady2u (anonymous) says...
Why not just move him in the "Trump Plaza"!
December 4, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
Ah yes...the good old boy system at its best...By the way, have there been any arrests from the "investigation" of drug use and sales south of Broad? I didn't think so...
December 4, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notax (anonymous) says...
Should come as no surprise - in this life money talks, and you know what walks.
December 4, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
Shame on all officials involved in this carriage of justice! It pretty much sickens me when I realize those in power think the public is so gullible.
December 4, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whalernut (anonymous) says...
Look lay off the man he did his time.
Welcome home Thomas!
Now that your home if you should need anything you know who to call. And I dont mean me. You know who.....I mean.
Better hope they dont find you at the halfway house.
December 4, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jimlslander (anonymous) says...
On second thought, he'd fit in even better at my house. I'm kind of liking his square jaw and sensative eyes. I think I'll hold out for Obama though. He's much sexier.
December 4, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
The only part that surprises me is that he made it out for Christmas. Not all of us are gullible, but we are powerless. Those in power have a majority of the public as allies and willing accomplices. The good old boys can realistically laugh at us or at the least ignore us. In the face of this kind of power with no restraint or desire to do the right thing, all we are left with is to stand.
December 4, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Everyone in the SC prison system for cocaine offenses should be released to halfway houses as well.
December 4, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
A lot of people don't serve time at all. Look at hiw many multiple offenders are walking the streets.
I don't see any preferential treatment.
1st offense..early release for good behavior.
December 4, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
Could Bush pardon him? Now that would be rich indeed!!
December 4, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
AFWally you got that right. Nice to have money and a daddy who is part of the good ole boys system.
December 4, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tigerrecord (anonymous) says...
I think your forgetting something here, this was his first offense or arrest, ever.
These types of situations happen all of the time. Go down to your local bond hearing, or simple court and just see the amount of people that never serve any time. Instead, they are shuffled through the systems of justice in order to be released right back onto the street.
If anything, he served more time than most people ever do.
December 4, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
The point is NOT that this was his first offense. The point is that he had a higher duty to uphold the laws of the state and he didn't. I'm not arguing what what he served, but to say "Oh, it was only his 1st offense" ignores the position of trust he held in SC.
December 4, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Our whole justice system is just a great big pile of sheet anyway, useless and expensive to the taxpayer.
December 4, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
Think he will be able to find some drugs in North Charleston?
December 4, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
anniehall (anonymous) says...
'The point is that he had a higher duty to uphold the laws of the state'
As citizens we all have an equal duty to uphold the laws of the state. He will be stained with what he did for the rest of his life. Give him a break, he has done his time and learned his lesson. Can we say that for those repeat offenders who continues to spend time in jail? No, not really.
December 4, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HighDef (anonymous) says...
i can't wait for his new arrogant comments to be printed in the PC follow up. My question is, why does he keep his real estate license after being found guilty ? Shouldn't he have a suspension of his real estate license also ? i realize he can still make money on all the properties the family owns but activly practicing commercial real estate from a half way house ! This is almost as good as Flip this House, James Island realtors drinking beer in trucks with shotguns... the Trademark fiasco !
December 4, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
The majority of coke heads go right back to their behavior.....in and out of jail, programs, etc. lets see what he does the first time he runs into the old crowd....the temptation to use will be forever present.
December 4, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
I HATE DRUGS, DISLIKE DRUG PUSHERS, and dislike people who use the drugs illegally. Sorry but that's how I feel. Three things that tear families apart are DRUGS, ALCOHOL, and GAMBLING.
December 4, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
I agree 100% grannyofseven_2.
BTW... I just found out this morning that I'll be a ganddadof1 soon :)
December 4, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
ColdBud congrats you'll enjoy being a granddad, I've obtained 2 grand kids this past year...... they are a blast.
December 4, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
panasonic (anonymous) says...
If this is standard procedure to reintroduce people to their communities at this one in their sentence, then big deal. He actually received a pretty stiff penalty for this crime.
December 4, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
If you start basing length of snetence on "position of trust" then all meth heads,and sociopaths would serve no time at all yet a man with kids would be sentenced to years.
It would not be fair to give him a harsher sentence just becuse of who he is anymore than it would be fair to let someone off scott free becuase they are a nobody and no one is watching.
December 4, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Not "swinging" at anyone johnnyholmes, just pointing out that I am "without sin", so yea, I cast stones.
December 4, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Satanssybil2007 (anonymous) says...
congrats to you coldbud!!! OBTAIN grandchildren? Yeah OK!! ravenel's first trip to the family's country home in Huger and BOOM he is hooked again! sad but true! of f-ing well. he is doing the rest of his sentence at a half way house, he is still serving time and for a first time offender this nothing out of the ordinary.
December 4, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
CB- talked that grandchild up two days ago!
I would not mind seeing Ravanel talk to children about his experience from all of this.
December 4, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffy1 (anonymous) says...
RE anniehall "As citizens we all have an equal duty to uphold the laws of the state. He will be stained with what he did for the rest of his life. Give him a break, he has done his time and learned his lesson. Can we say that for those repeat offenders who continues to spend time in jail? No, not really."
I completely 100% agree with you. The sheer amount of jealousy on this board is astounding! If half of these people would be honest with themselves they would admit that they are eat up with jealousy that he has been given breaks in life b/c of his family, and that they were thrilled when he made a mistake. He has done his time, paid his debt, and I wish him luck in his future.
December 4, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lantanagurl (anonymous) says...
EqualityB4theLawThinkAgain...AMEN!!!! The only justice one gets in this country is the justice you PAY for. Yep, good ole white boy system. Do not be Hispanic, Asian, Or any other color and expect justice unless you have money. This is a fact. And what of his co-defendent? Does he also get a halfway house? And Alston Wilkes? That is a big fat joke.
December 4, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HighDef (anonymous) says...
the lack of respect that T Rav shows people when speacking shows his narcisism and elitism. just going on his comments in the PC before he went to the big house proved his arrogance and un -appologetic mind set. Perfect politician for SC.
December 4, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tallblonde (anonymous) says...
I'm buyin' more stock in Coke (KO) - I'm seein' a definite increase in usage!!! ;)
December 4, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
This could be a homeless man from the south side of San Diego for all I care. I'd still feel the same way. We are way too easy on drug offenders... especially those distributing drugs.
I know that the justice system is suppoed to see everyone as equals, but I feel that people holding public office, or in jobs of authority over the public should be held to a higher standard than the every day Joe. Why? Simply because, in this case, the people involved in Ravenel's drug trade could have easily blackmailed him in to providing favors at the expense of the general public. He was the State Treasurer! Imagine all of the corruption that might have occurred had he not be caught!
Thanks for the congrats on the grandchild! I'm excited! :)
December 4, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
CB congrats being a grandparent is wonderful I am happy for you and your sweet lady.
Johnny I am a believer in God but I follow the Wiccan.
I still question why God lets people like these exist
December 4, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
It's funny that they never have mentioned all of the people that are going down because of Ravenel.
Yes, he sang, and numerous stings took place.
December 4, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
An old bookie in Florence once told me if you want justice go to the cat house...and if you want to get screwed, go to the courthouse!
December 4, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
The good old boy system alive and kicking.
December 4, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbo6969 (anonymous) says...
I agree that T Rav has done something wrong but, the citizens of these United States has elected a President that admits that he has used drugs:
Obama first told of his early drug use in his 1995 memoir, "Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance."
Obama wrote: "Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it," wrote Obama about what he would later say were "bad decisions." "Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final, fatal role of the young would-be black man."
What kind of example is this for our children, youth and young adults, that it was alright to use drugs and say they made a mistake, in many cases this does not happen they become addicted...
Anytime an individual uses illegal drugs they are breaking the law, at the same time they are supporting other illegal doings:
What will happen if the President Elect reverts to his earlier days in school, with the pressure of the office and the world on his shoulders:
December 4, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheSafetyMan (anonymous) says...
Talk about a slap on the wrist...sad, very sad.
December 4, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Ravenel needs to get on the bandwagon to lead the charge for reduction in penalties for drug violations and eventual legalization of cocaine and marijuana. Small amount of cocaine purchases on Fridays should be legal. Put the dealers out of business and monitor the cocaine quality at local pharmacies so people will know the grade they are getting for the weekend.
December 4, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
There is no such thing as "and justice for all". If this was an Average Joe, he would still be in prison for at least the next ten years. Tommy Chong did about same amount of time for just having his name on water pipes and making stoner movies.
December 4, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
"A Dog will return to it's vomit"
December 4, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
We just elected a President that experimented with different types of drugs. We have an outgoing president the experimented with cocaine in his young days. The president before him (LOL) did not inhale. Many comments here are pathetic attacks against a man are merely serving out his sentence in accordance with the law. Jealousy is rampant in the blogs!
He was not guilty of distribution, he was guilty of possession. He was sentenced as many first time offenders are sentenced for possession. Distribution carries much longer sentences. He could have been tried within the South Carolina court system which could have offered him Pre Trial Intervention. Most first time offender gets probation while going through Pre Trial Intervention instead of jail. Depending on associated crimes or charges when busted. Completion of PTI program expunges the record. He was tried within the Federal court system. He was not given the opportunity to have PTI because the federal Courts do not allow it. He is serving the rest of his time within the boundaries of the Federal courts punishment. Let the man have his peace.
Granny says "Three things that tear families apart are DRUGS, ALCOHOL, and GAMBLING."
You forgot the 4th: lack of compassion to forgive when someone errs in their way. Church is coming up this weekend!
December 4, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
CB, just checking!
Lust
Gluttony
Greed
Sloth
Wrath
Envy
Pride
You have NEVER ventured into one of these in your life?
December 4, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Nice try to paint Thomas as holier than thou while trying to make people feel guilty about things that have nothing to do with his crime there 1960. Lack of compassion doesn't mean lack of accountability for his err, ahh "mistakes." If you are fine with that, more power to ya. Save the preaching for the pulpit.
He bargained and negotiated for his sentence and his crimes. If it makes you feel better that he got out of distribution by apparently turning the tables on co-horts, than by all means.
December 4, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
Sentences(federal) of less than a year must be served in their entirety (i.e 10 months=10 months). Only those >1 year can be considered for "time off for good behavior".
While the time in the halfway house is considered as part of the sentence, people do not generally(or ever) spend a 1/3 of their sentences at a halfway house. Someone who has been serving an 8-10 yr sentence might go to a halfway house for the last 6 months. (This makes sense in light of the stated mission & purpose of the halfway house).
Someone who has spent only a year or less might not even go to a halfway house & if so, does not spend more than 1 month there.(if they've been away for only a yr or less, how much "re-entry" to their families & society do they need?)
Yep, they got him out in time for a Christmas weekend furlough.
December 4, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
LOL, I am not painting him holier than thou. My statement about the Presidents merely says that everyone is judgmental of Ravenel when the country elects many officials that are guilty of drib abuse by admission. Compassion and accountability are 2 different things and I never said they were the same. Many people make mistakes with drugs and never go to jail as a first time offender. The fact is people are judging the man after he has already been judged. He was held accountable: He went to jail. He is completing his sentence. He was never charged with distribution. He never plea bargained the charge of distribution. His negotiations were over the length of the sentence. The prosecutors said all along that they would not speak to a reduced sentence for the possession charge unless he gave some names. My comment reflects that the sentence he received is not unlike many first time offenders with the exception of the many first timers that get straight probation or PTI. The longer sentences many people are suggesting are usually handed out to repeat offenders and dealers.
My next comment was a reflection on the comment about casting a stone and sin and another's response claiming to be 'without sin' and they cast stones. I brought up the so called 7 deadly sins to see if he is true to his statement. Perhaps you are an atheist and sins do not matter to you. I don't care if you are or you are not, that's your power and right to do so. The point is that there are no perfect people in this world. People make mistakes that affect others. The responders to the article included. His mistakes have a direct impact on his family. I don't believe your family was affected, I could be wrong, were they?
I am going to go out on a limb here and state the fact. It is because of his name most of the disgruntled people are attacking him. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
If you are fine with hate, then more power to you. You have that right.
December 4, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Sorry 1960, don't confuse facts with hate and save the preaching for the naive on sundays.
December 4, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
charleston1960, sin is a religious concept. A word made up by religious people. I'm not religious. It's not possible for me to sin. I've done things in my life that are wrong, but I've never sinned.
December 4, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
I never confused them. The FACT is he was judged and sentenced. The FACT is he his finishing up his sentence under the Federal guidelines he was sentenced by. The FACT is the people ARE spewing HATE because they believe it was because of a family name that got him off. The FACT is he DID NOT get off he served a sentence.
The FACT is that the personal attacks are hate.
That is not preaching.
There's no naive areas except yours if you believe the people are not attacking him for who he is. IF this had been any other person convicted of the same crime and they received the same sentence or even less, then I really doubt anyone of them would be attacking the same way.
December 4, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
1960 - If I choose to hate, that is my right. If I choose to personally attack someone verbally, that is my right. To do so, if I choose, does not make me naive. Poor taste, maybe, bigoted, maybe. Just because you choose to dislike what others say does not take away their right to express it. It seems to me that you are personally attacking people for personally attacking people.
December 5, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
Hmm! Wasn't stoning a religious punishment from past historical accounts? Excluding the renegade mobs who did it for the...hmm...well...kind of like a terrorist attacks a person(s). Cast on. Oh one more thing. I was just wondering, since you admit your not religious...hmmm?
December 5, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
BTW MP,
I already said it once before but perhaps you did not read the full statement so I will apply it PERSONALLY to you. If even you choose to hate that is your right. Is there a meassge you tried to get across that I have not already said?
December 5, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
1960. Yes, there is. Actually there are two. I said it was my RIGHT to hate if I so choose. I did not say that I chose to. As far as Ravenel goes, most of us do not care about who he is. We care about what he represents, or used to represent. Many of us supported him in the election process and actually voted for him. All the while he was betraying that trust. That is not something that was directly addressed by the court and the fact that he served time does not fix it.
December 5, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
All you paupers out there eat your hearts out.
There's a quaint axiom that lawyers share among themselves.
You are innocent until proven broke.
December 5, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
MP
Let's do this one more time.
I said, in quotes===>, "If even you choose to hate that is your right." Notice I said 'IF EVEN YOU CHOOSE' so your point was already a given by me. So I do not see why you are so intent on reviewing that over again.
The 'STATE' found NO evidence that his drug abuse affected his duties he was elected to perform. So what trust was he betraying in your statement of 'All the while he was betraying that trust'? You supported him, if you did, for handling the role of a Treasurer. His private life remains such unless he gets caught doing something illegal, which he did. And for which he has served his time. The only way he could have betrayed your trust or anyone else's for that matter, would be for him to have said I DON'T DO DRUGS, and then you find out he did. That is betrayed trust. Or if he abused the position of Treasurer in a manner opposite of what he ran his campaign on, which he did not. There no betrayed trust with that case.
He promised during his election run to be a good steward with the states money. Did he betray anyone's trust in his performance? I do not see where he did and you too would be hard pressed to find a point where he did. Now if was found out that he used state money to buy! I would agree with you that there is betrayed trust. He used his money for the illegal purchases. If he wants to throw his money away of such things, personally I don't care. I could think of many other worthwhile things to buy in life.
December 6, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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