S.C. State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel (R) indicted! (crack cocaine)

[hiaasenrocks]

http://www.thestate.com/136/story/96446.html

[KoKo]

1. Here's another article....!

SC Treasurer Thomas Ravenel charged with cocaine distribution
By JIM DAVENPORT,
Published Tuesday, June 19, 2007
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, a millionaire former real estate developer who became a rising political star after his election last year, was indicted Tuesday on federal cocaine charges.

Ravenel bought less than 500 grams of cocaine from Michael L. Miller to share with other people, U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd said. Ravenel didn't sell any of the drugs, Lloyd said.

Ravenel will be allowed to turn himself in, authorities said. The treasurer's office referred all questions to Ravenel's lawyer Joel Collins, who did not return a message left at his office.

The investigation into Ravenel arose from a drug case last year in Charleston, Lloyd said. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart said his agents were aware of the allegations before Ravenel was elected in November, but didn't have enough information to pursue criminal charges until they turned the case over to the FBI in April.

Ravenel and Miller, who is in custody, each face on charge of distribution of cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

"The investigation is just beginning," Lloyd said.

Gov. Mark Sanford suspended Ravenel immediately based on the serious nature of the charge. The governor said he would name an interim treasurer soon.

"These are obviously very serious allegations that we're constitutionally bound to act upon, and they'll ultimately be decided by the courts." Sanford said in a statement.

Ravenel, 44, started his political career in 2004, funding his own campaign for the U.S. Senate seat left open by the retiring Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings. He finished a close third in the Republican primary.

During his campaign for treasurer, Ravenel promised complete his term and not run in a primary in 2008 against U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, despite growing resentment for Graham by some of the state's Republicans.

Ravenel was founder of the Ravenel Development Corp., a commercial real estate development company. His father, Arthur Ravenel Jr., was a powerful politician from Charleston who served eight years in the U.S. House and is a former state representative and state senator.

Thomas Ravenel is also the state chairman for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign.

http://www.islandpacket.com/breaking_news/v-media/story/6556107p-5835143c.html

[KoKo]

2. What's the SC Dem view on Ravenel ...son of beloved Arthur Ravenel?

Was he "set up" by the Lindsey Graham/Bushies...or was their always some "gossip" about him? :shrug:

[hiaasenrocks]

3. Let's just say...

between the two choices you present, there's no chance he was set up (despite what some conspiracy people will WANT to believe, I am sure).

I base that opinion on long-held views of people in this area. I was getting a haircut today in Mount Pleasant and the barber used to double-date with Thomas and some other people. Basically, this has been a long time coming. And there was talk about a "Charleston good ole boy coke ring" that I hadn't heard of until today. We'll see...

As for Arthur, he's a conniving shitweasel. That's all the time I'd waste expressing an opinion about him.

[KoKo]

4. I grew up there...but haven't lived there in many years...but there were

"good ole boy rings" when I grew up there and that's back in the 60's. Bad stuff...and I know it still goes on. :-( I checked the Charleston Post & Courier online and they didn't have the story ...just the fire...that's why my :tinfoilhat: lit up. Given Giuliani's background and the "good ole boys."

Thanks for the update on him.

[hiaasenrocks]

5. The P&C has the story now.

"BREAKING NEWS" in red letters at the top of the page.

http://charleston.net/news/2007/jun/19/state_treasurer_indicted_cocaine_charges/

[KoKo]

6. Did some digging last night....

Did Tom Ravenel ever get married? He's 44. Last article I could find was when he was 41 and not married.

[CulturalRevolution]

7. Yes, he was married...

Thomas was married once... To the divorced daughter of an air force general (General Ryan). The marriage was SHORT. He was almost married a second time but he left his bride at the alter (for all intensive purposes)...

I have some other info. on my blog at http://www.culturalrevolutionary.com/

[alteredstate]

8. Wanna know what's worse than "distribution of cocaine"?

building Super WalMarts!!!

http://www.raveneldevelop.com/inthenews.html

[hiaasenrocks]

11. I don't mind them if they are out of the way.

A little further up HWY 17, past HWY 41 would be fine. I just don't want one anywhere near the older sections of Mount Pleasant and certainly not near the beaches.

[junkiebrewster]

9. Nowhere does it say "crack cocaine"

Let's at least be honest as we dance on his political grave. It was powder.


And it's fairly common knowledge throughout the state that these blue-blood, old money drug rings exist.

"Good old boy" implies rural and poor. These families have been loaded for generations. They are basically southern blue bloods.

[hiaasenrocks]

10. That's what TV was reporting when I posted the story.