Accounts Reportedly Frozen In Pee Dee Scandal

By fitsnews • on June 30, 2009
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Although it’s been largely bumped out of the news by the massive scandal enveloping S.C. Governor Mark Sanford, we haven’t forgotten about the Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office scandal that continues to fester in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina.

Prior to news of the governor’s affair blowing up, the sordid saga of former Fourth Circuit solicitor Jay Hodge was big news in Palmetto political circles – and we suspect it will be once again as media outlets (us included) start refocusing our resources on things other than the governor and his Latin lover.

Speaking of which, sources familiar with the Pee Dee scandal are saying that Wachovia – the bank which holds the financial accounts for Hodge’s nonprofit foundation, Mercy Ministries – has frozen those accounts.

We are in the process of gathering additional information on this report, but both Hodge and Mercy Ministries are already under federal investigation for the alleged misappropriation of public funds. In fact, Hodge and two other employees were forced to resign their positions with the Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office in the wake of that investigation.

Neither Wachovia’s local philanthropic account manager, Pam Nothstein, nor its corporate spokesman, Josh Dunn, would comment to FITS about the Mercy Ministries accounts, citing corporate policy.

“I cannot comment on an existing account,” Dunn told FITS.

Stay tuned …

Comments

By mackie mccleod on June 30th, 2009 at 9:15 am

to view a partial list of crimes committed by FBI agents over 1500 pages long see
http://www.forums.signonsandiego.com/showthread.php?t=59139

to view a partial list of FBI agents arrested for pedophilia see
http://www.dallasnews.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3574

By justsaynotojoe on June 30th, 2009 at 10:01 am

Somebody hit a nerve

By hwy 9 traveler on June 30th, 2009 at 10:09 am

interesting mackie mcleod, but not surprising. who doesn’t know the potential that big brother has. what is not coincidence in hodge’s case is that his corruption has been going on for years. yes, they’ve know it but hadn’t had the opportunity to get to him. he just wouldn’t, no couldn’t leave well enough alone. that’s what happens when you feel you are above the law and superior to everyone around you. through the years, history has taught us that lesson. wonder if hodge knows of all the little people who have done his dirty work for years are now part of the case against him? he has so many, he can’t possibly coach or control all of their testimonies. i guess he’s just relying on his superior intellect to coast through this investigation. after all, i heard that mary anderson(vice-pres and treasurer for mercy ministries) said he wasn’t worried at all about this. wonder if he still feels that same way now?

By Big Bubba on June 30th, 2009 at 10:20 am

Okay People! How’s ya’ll doing? This here website discussion has been brewing over a month now. I has seed several of these accused scoundrels when I went to Cheraw to git some dog and hog food. They is looking mighty pale and sickly, even some needs to shave. With this new story from Fits, It shore looks like the weather is not the only thing that is heating up!!!! Things smell fishier than Teal’s fish market. Is anyone gonna’ git locked up? Who knows!!!But, I knows one thing—-it is time to party regardless of the current condishuns. SO, on July 3rd, all ya’ll is invited to the Big Bubba hoedown down in Cheraw. The town told me that they wanted to sponser the Big Bubba picnic, so I says that they could. We is gonna shoot a bunch of fireworks. Listen ya’ll, to everyone that comes up and talks to Big Bubba, I will have a little present for you. But, you is got to say “Is you Big Bubba?” I will have Big Buck with me, but not to worry he don’t bite. He is a bit old and only has a few teeth left to chew Bar-B-Que with. I might even try and sing with the band. Has ya’ll ever heard “Rocky Top”? Ifen’ them boys in the band knows this song, I will sing with them. Look ya’ll, I gotta’ go, I hear Big Buck a barking. There may be a snake or possum in the yard. Ifen it is a possum I will have some meat tonight for supper. . If we doesn’t talk before Friday night, I look forward to seeing all my friends. I shore does hope that “Sic Willie” and his folks will comes to our Big Bubba selerbrashun. I would shore love to meet them. For now I is–

Big Bubba-The purveyor of Bar-B-Que, good times and fireworks.

By What!!!!!!! on June 30th, 2009 at 10:23 am

Mackie!!!!!

What has your blog got to do with the MM/Jay Hodge investigation?

By Austin Bradley on June 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

I think this deserves a second look:

Here we go again. My business takes me into area courthouses and while in Chesterfield this past week, a gentleman was there and he mentioned something of fitsnews and the things that had been showing up. So while at the court house, I took a little extra time and checked out a few records and one that really caught my eye was the one involving the elderly lady that is in an area nursing home. Now I know there was a newspaper article on this and a radio interview, but neither one of those will cover up the smell this thing is putting off. In April, and by the way, all this is public record, Cheraw’s mayor, his real estate agent, and the former solicitor, were able to orchestrate this fantastic buy on behalf of the mayor from the hospital bound woman. Well, my search discovered that this same property sold again this month and netted the parties a tidy profit of $25000. less expenses of course. Now, given my occupation, I know a little about property closings and financing and in my experience, it is unusual to purchase a house, repair it, find a buyer, buyer get financing and all that is involved with that and close in less than 60 days. Not impossible, but improbable, and that seems to be a continuing theme with these people. As an abstracter I can speak with a little intelligence on the subject and in my opinion, these people were not out to help this elderly lady and their family, on the surface, it appears that maybe they had a well thought out and executed plan and they were the benefactors. Nothing wrong with making money, but don’t try and mask it for the public, we are much smarter than that.

By The 1st none surprised on June 30th, 2009 at 4:28 pm

Mr. McCleod:
Your article doesn’t tell me anything new about FBI. Nothing surprises me about anyone involved in government. I could type for hours about things with the government and military that is now declassified but I’d hate to end up in prison or dead. That’s one big problem locally and nationwide. Drug use, child abuse, crime, etc. continue because the people in charge and there to help are doing the same things the people “beneath” them are doing. The only time anything gets done is when enough people make noise about it. Your posting just reminds me that, all in all, the FBI are just cops in suits working for bigger food chain politicos. Still hope something gets done locally, though. You’ve got to call who’s there to help in the end and kudos to those brave enough to call and report.

By liz on June 30th, 2009 at 5:51 pm

It’s been my experience that powerful forces stop investigations into the truth.

By hwy 9 traveler on June 30th, 2009 at 11:35 pm

liz, you’re right and i hope this is not the case in this situation. just wonder if hodge has enough pull with the feds to make this go away. i guess this is what he is counting on. i’ve heard that there is enough testimony to tie him to chop shop, drugs, and money laundering. he just might know the name of a bigger fish to give them. what happens then? does he return to his nice cushie little life her in cheraw? he has no job and mercy ministries is quickly going down the drain. who will use him as their attorney? would you trust him with your personal affairs? how about your estate matters? no way for him to continue his jetset lifestyle without stealing from the last account mercy ministries has but i’m sure that “his” board would not let that happen. yeah, right.

By Notgonnahappen on July 1st, 2009 at 10:20 am

Doubt if Hodge has any direct influence with the Feds, but might have some pull with someone who does, such as someone in the US Congress.

By hwy 9 traveler on July 1st, 2009 at 1:15 pm

yeah, but still, are you going to trust him or anybody who aligns themselves with him even if he gets off. i find it hard to believe that the board members of mercy ministry have not been contacted to get their two cents worth on all the accusations? i guess them not saying anything means they agree with hodge and all the accusations he has made against bullard and michael. if hodge is found guilty and they are backing him, what will be their liability?

By Elizabeth M. on July 1st, 2009 at 11:12 pm

Notgonnahappen, I hope you aren’t referring to the honorable John Spratt. Just because Hodge has hosted Spratt at his house for political events doesn’t mean the congressman wants to get involved in this mess.

By mike campbell on July 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 am

Did anyone read the letter from Wachovia to Hodge and MM under MM accounts frozen? It seems like someone rode out this trust and used it for their personal gain until 2010 when the trust terminates on its own, or at least this is my understanding of it. What is going on in this county? A helicopter is needed to find shoplifters from Wal-Mart? We have a municipal judge that makes Capone look like a choir boy, a joke of a judicial system, and now even Mark Sanford has fallen, very hard, from grace. How sad. It appears that every form of government in this state is rotten to the core. No wonder SC remains at the bottom of everything. This is just a sickening farce.

By Notgonnahappen on July 2nd, 2009 at 7:37 am

Hey mike, we aren’t “at the bottom of everything”. We rank 5th in obesity.

And Elizabeth, I didn’t name a congressman who Hodge might have influence with, nor did I say a congressman would use his influence to help Hodge. I have considerable respect for John and it would really shock me to find out he had done anything inappropriate. Now I can’t say the same for the one toward the beach.

By SAY WHAT? on July 2nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm

I understand there is a place in the 100 block of Market in Cheraw where people sign up to work and the government (and not the entity the people work for) pays their salary. I drove by and saw a room full of people signing up… Sounds like “make enough to buy a week or two of crack and quit” to me. Anyone know anything about this? I heard Hodge was involved but I would bet some local government officials are getting a cut, if not Hodge.

By 1st none surprised on July 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 pm

Seems like IMPEACHMENT needs to be started from Columbia to Cheraw. I once heard someone say, “Hodge is a man of many talents.” More like a man of many tentacles, that would be more appropriate for Hodge and our governor who has fallen from grace. The whole state needs a good political cleansing. What other scams are going on in this county? FBI, don’t stop at Mercy Ministries and Hodge, keep going until you get to Columbia and do some investigating there after you’ve finished here with Cheraw Police Dept., the mayor’s office, current solicitor’s office, and our local courthouse. Sickening, just plain sickening.

By Just a comment on July 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 am

Say What, that is not affiliated with Hodge. Some type of training program by the name of Hi Tech. Remarkably, something good happening for the community so close to the scoundrel himself. I bet he can’t sleep at night wondering how much money he could have scamed out of that program or fresh “meat” he could have auditioned. What a shame, what a shame.

By Big Bubba on July 3rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Okay everyone!!!!Tonight is the 1st annual Big Bubba pig pickin’ and independence party in Cheraw. Yes, I do knows that we ain’t gonna have a pig to pick, BUT we still has some scoundrels “out on the street.” It don’t means that we still can’t has ourselves a big time tonight. I is wondering if some of these scoundrels are going shows their faces. I hopes that they do. Because, no one has be convicted or indyketed–indieted ugh ya’ll knows what I mean. Their butts ain’t been locked up yet. Soo, let’s all put our thoughts aside for tonight and has ourselfs a good time. Hope to sees all of ya’ll. I hopes that the band will lets me sing a song. Enjoy the fireworks.

Big Bubba

By Hopeful on July 4th, 2009 at 11:34 pm

According to worldnews.com, Mercy Ministries is a world wide project with several locations in the United tates including Cheraw, S.C.

http://www.examiner.com/x-8831-Little-Rock-Atheism-Examiner~y2009m5d27-Former-Mercy-Ministries-director-under-FBI-investigation

By Hopeful on July 4th, 2009 at 11:42 pm

My Apologies. According to this article Mercy Ministries shares the same name but not the same organization.

http://seantheblogonaut.com/2009/06/mercy-ministires-of-america-not-affiliated-with-mercy-ministries-inc/

By 1st none surprised on July 8th, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Why bother with The Link or Chronicle and paying 50 cents? More current and detailed info. is on this site. And where is that radio interview with Hunter? FITS, could you find and post it? I still can’t understand why he mentioned FBI and beware to posters. Shouldn’t he want to know what citizens have to say about this and other issues? Unless, of course, he is part of the all-powerful machine in this county.

By Bob on July 11th, 2009 at 4:57 pm

The Blogs are a wonderful thing. They are much more personal and up to date than any news media. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and they do express their opinions on these blogs.

What everyone needs to realize is there’s a Huge difference between FACTS and talking about someone at times. When those conversations say bad things about people and there is NO facts to back them up, that’s Libel. Anyone that has ever worked in publishing understands that. You see people getting sued for Libel and Slander all the time.

Anyone that replys on these blogs has nothing to fear from Law Enforcement or Lawyers about what they say as long as they have facts to back them up. When you call people names and destroy their character without merit is when people get in trouble. If they destroyed their own character by themselves, you again have nothing to worry about.

By SAY WHAT? on July 12th, 2009 at 7:28 am

Bob, your “public service comment” sounds more like a veiled threat to me…

By Bob on July 12th, 2009 at 6:13 pm

Certainly not meant to be. Everyone is responsible for their own actions in everything they do. Just be careful what you say and how you say it. This is a written public forum. That’s all. I’m not Law or Lawyer. Just a working guy.

By Phil Overcash on July 13th, 2009 at 6:37 pm

Say What, I agree with you, sounds like another one of those messages from the accused that crosses the line and then backs up just enough to make it defendable. Remove the remark in the radio interview of the Cheraw mayor, where he made the statement about FBI tracking the people on this website? Another scare tactic used by this powerful group of accused. But be not swayed, because the people they are trying to intimidate this time are not going to run and hide. I had a conversation a few days ago with a person who is near the fringes of this firestorm and after that discussion, I wouldn’t underestimate Ms. Bullard and friends at all. Too bad Linda Carter played Wonder Woman, cause Ms. Bullard could steal the show. Bad guys beware.

By 1st none surprised on July 13th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

There sure is a lot of concern by a “select few” over what people are saying here on these posts. From what I understand, FITS can only give out anyone’s web info. and address from here if a threat is made. I would believe at this point that no one has made that mistake. And you can bank on the fact that anything I’ve put on here has paperwork support and I can swear to it all being fact in a courtroom. I hope they clean up the whole town. I just wish I could hear or read that elusive radio transcript. Could FITS get a copy of the transcript?

By hwy 9 traveler on July 15th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

To all concerned, don’t worry, Hodge is cooked like crack. What we need to focus on now is the rest of the scum in this town. Personally, I don’t know anything on the corruption with the police but I do have some information on our mayor (Hunter) and his two accomplices Hodge and Myrteen Lee. The lady from the nursing home that Hunter said he was helping out, he just sold that house for a $25,000 profit. Now I know he says that “that’s the business he’s in” but it shouldn’t be to take advantage of someone in a nursing home. I’ll give him a pass because he certainly isn’t smart enough to make this scam on his on, Lee and Hodge needed a front guy or possibly a fall guy, they’re professional at this. He’s just stupid enough to fall right in line. I guess that’s why Lee had enough money to clean up her building mess here in town and why Hunter defended her so at the council meetings and in the Link.

By 1st none surprised on July 16th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

I will be very surprised if something on police department did not come up while they were investigating Hodge. He couldn’t have had such control if he didn’t have foot soldiers to do his bidding. Especially the cops at the top.

By hwy 9 traveler on July 16th, 2009 at 11:03 pm

1st none surprised, I think that’s why the FBI are taking so long to move. There is so much corruption that they have found through their interviews that they have to make sure how to proceed. Remeber, when they come, they’re coming for people who were supposed to be representing the good of the community. Town officials,ex- solicitor, cops, judges. Kinda sad once you think about it.

By SAY WHAT? on July 17th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

I hope the FBI digs up all the dirt there is in Chesterfield County, but in my opinion they won’t even look at much of what has been alleged on this site. I doubt they will go beyond looking at the Solicitors office and Mercy. I think most of the statements that “the FBI will get so and so” is just wishful thinking.

By 1st none surprised on July 17th, 2009 at 9:50 pm

SAY WHAT, I’m praying and trying to keep the faith, but it seems to me that politicos in Columbia and probably Washington have known about the goings-on in this area for quite some time. I said it before and I’ll say it again, I believe the guilty ones in this town, officials or their foot soldiers in the police dept. and on the street are part of a much larger monster than what we can imagine. Maybe 1 or a few will go down, but this is so far-reaching and deep that only an act of God could destroy it. I’m thinking mafia or some sort of secret organization, like Sanford’s C Street family, is at play. Outside of Mercy M. and Jay Hodge, all the others are busy at work as usual and don’t appear worried to me. Just something about this area, specifically Cheraw.

By SAY WHAT? on July 18th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

1st none I agree. Week after week you see in the papers where low level drug users and street dealers have been arrested. But you never, ever see the big men (or women) who handle the financing, importing, distribution and so forth get arrested. You would think over decades law enforcement could get some of these low level people to rat out the big men/women, so it at least appears they aren’t trying.

By 1st none surprised on July 18th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

Too many people know too much on some of those in law enforcement. A lot of the lower level dealers become informants and receive more protection than innocent people do. One pretty big dealer was arrested a few years back but chose to do the time because when he got out he was paid a lot of money by bigger fish than he. A particular drug user, who is now in prison, got away with so much and her name was constantly in the papers because she was partying with some on CPD. Look at what happened with the chop-shop deal. Just read Ronnie Leviner’s post. Cheraw Police Dept. can’t really do anything but arrest lower-levels because they are basically owned by the big-time dealers. And with the meth problem around here you would think there would be many arrests for that. How often do you see any arrests for it? I’ll say again this is all part of a much bigger machine and we would be very surprised to know who is at the top and shifting all the gears. I know with my situation it’s best just to leave and be done with it all because Hodge is, in my opinion, very low on the rung. It is not going to be a matter of him as the proverbial head of the snake. I really do believe he is a low-level player in all of this. So many see him as the puppet master but if they look a lot closer they will see that this really isn’t so. We need an act of God because even the FBI isn’t big enough to handle this.

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