Law & Order (And totally sweet nose candy.)
South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, a former real estate developer and rising political star, was indicted Tuesday on federal cocaine charges.
The millionaire — also the state chairman for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign — is accused of buying less than 500 grams of cocaine to share with other people in late 2005, U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd said. Ravenel, 44, is charged with distribution of cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.
Giuliani's campaign sent out a prepared statement saying Ravenel had stepped down. Giuliani spokesman Elliott Bundy said he did not know when Ravenel stepped aside.
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. The case was turned over to the FBI on April 1 "when the investigation reached a certain level," Stewart said.
A maximum sentence of twenty years seems awfully harsh (on the other hand, a pound of cocaine is apparently worth about $20,000), but what's the minimum sentence? I'm sure all of his fellow Republicans will shake their heads sadly and say "Well, it's a shame to lose such an up-and-coming strategist and politician, but the law's the law." Except when it isn't.
The millionaire — also the state chairman for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign — is accused of buying less than 500 grams of cocaine to share with other people in late 2005, U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd said. Ravenel, 44, is charged with distribution of cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.
Giuliani's campaign sent out a prepared statement saying Ravenel had stepped down. Giuliani spokesman Elliott Bundy said he did not know when Ravenel stepped aside.
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. The case was turned over to the FBI on April 1 "when the investigation reached a certain level," Stewart said.
A maximum sentence of twenty years seems awfully harsh (on the other hand, a pound of cocaine is apparently worth about $20,000), but what's the minimum sentence? I'm sure all of his fellow Republicans will shake their heads sadly and say "Well, it's a shame to lose such an up-and-coming strategist and politician, but the law's the law." Except when it isn't.
posted by Matt Sandwich | 1:24 PM
<< Home