Mayor, official indictedBy MEG KINNARD
Associated Press
Friday, July 18, 2008
Bruce Morgan COLUMBIA — The mayor and zoning administrator of the city of Union were charged Thursday in a public corruption scheme, several hours after the mayor resigned. Mayor Bruce Morgan, 57, and Zoning Administrator Jeffrey Lawson, 40, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Columbia and charged with conspiring to accept kickbacks in return for doling out government contracts, U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins said. As part of the scheme, which dates to November 2007, Wilkins said the men raked in $30,000 from at least three separate contractors. Morgan and Lawson are charged with conspiracy. Morgan faces an additional four counts of using his official position to extort payments in violation of federal law. Lawson faces two counts of the same. If convicted, the men each face a maximum of 20 years in prison, as well as fines up to $250,000 for each count. Morgan resigned several hours before he was indicted, citing personal reasons but apologizing to citizens and city officials in a letter. "I apologize for all and any problems this causes our wonderful city," Morgan wrote. "Please keep me and my family in your prayers." It was unclear if Morgan or Lawson had attorneys. Messages left at both men's offices were not immediately returned. Union is a town of about 9,000 residents about 70 miles northwest of Columbia in South Carolina. |
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Comments
This article has 4 comment(s)
Posted by My_50Cents_Worth on July 18, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not believe it; government contracts are always awarded based on merit.
Posted by Neponset on July 18, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think they should sniff around here, perhaps they will find some more cases.
Posted by Tammie on July 18, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Greedy azz. He's getting what he deserves.
Posted by STREETLAW on July 18, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HOW WONDERFUL THIS COULD NEVER BE A HEADLINE FOR THE TOWN OF JAMES ISLAND - OR COULD IT?
IF SLED WERE TO MONITOR ACTIVITIES IN ALMOST ANY MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THERE WOULD BE TWO OR THREE WHO SHOULD GET JAIL TIME.
BUT THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE THE LAWS AS A RULE, AND THEY WRITE THOSE LAWS TO PROTECT THEIR OWN ARSES.
IF REAGAN WANTED TO FIND AN EVIL EMPIRE HE NEED NOT HAVE LOOKED BEYOND THE GOVERNMENT OF, BY, AND FOR THE CHARLATANS, CROOKS AND BULLIES.
IT'S ALL AROUND US.