SC Cemetery Sex Scandal Deepens
A cemetery sex scandal involving a top lieutenant to S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster deepened Tuesday, as both the City of Columbia and the Attorney General’s office appear to have been involved in a coordinated effort to cover-up the incident.
First, and most damaging, it was revealed that the Columbia police officer who apprehended Assistant Deputy Attorney General Roland S. Corning on suspicion of solicitation – and then let him go without being charged – is married to one of Corning’s co-workers in the Attorney General’s office.
Officer Mike Wines, who busted Corning with a prostitute in Columbia’s Elmwood Cemetery Monday afternoon, is married to Megan Wines – who works with Corning in McMaster’s office.
In fact, after apprehending Corning – a former State Representative and Workers’ Compensation Commissioner – sources tell FITS that Officer Wines called his wife, who consulted with her superiors at the Attorney General’s office and relayed word that their desire was for Corning to be released.
Obviously, that’s what happened, as neither Corning nor the prostitute were arrested despite the fact that after being caught they initially attempted to flee apprehension. In fact, charges still have yet to be filed in the case.
Also, Wines’ police report on the incident – which the City of Columbia told FITS late Tuesday afternoon did not exist – mysteriously came into existence after our story was published. That report was then provided to another media outlet for it’s Wednesday editions.
Indeed, the salacious details of the “Cemetery Sexcapades” scandal – first reported here on FITS yesterday – have since been confirmed by The State newspaper based almost exclusively on that police report.
You can click here to read The State’s article.
City officials did not immediately return FITS calls seeking comment as to the discrepancy, and a day later, McMaster’s office is still refusing to comment on either the incident or the alleged cover-up.
We were informed yesterday, however, that McMaster’s staff was “working feverishly behind the scenes” to suppress the incident, which may explain not only why Corning was let go – but also why no report was made available to us when we requested it.
In addition to documenting the fact that Corning “attempted to make a hasty retreat, spinning the tires in the driveway and accelerating rapidly” away from the officer, the incident report obtained by The State also reveals that Corning – who is married – had a sex enhancement drug and sex toys in his vehicle.
After being apprehended, Corning flashed his Attorney General’s badge – a gold, law enforcement badge that McMaster hands out to the attorneys and political operatives who work in his office.
Corning’s “Cemetery Sexcapades” scandal is a huge embarrassment for McMaster, who has staked out a high profile for himself (and his gubernatorial campaign) when it comes to cracking down on online prostitution – an effort that has met with little success, incidentally.
Of course, the incident itself isn’t the issue any more – it’s the compelling evidence pointing to a coordinated cover-up.
Finally, for those of you who repeatedly criticize FITS for using anonymous sources, this incident was brought to light thanks to two anonymous emails to our website on Tuesday – accounts we were later able to confirm with our network of sources.
Comments
By Huhhh??? on October 28th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Why do assistant attorneys general have badges?
By Todd on October 28th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Huhhh? They have badges for the same reason Jean Toal’s drooling drones at the ODC have badges. It makes them feel important and for use when they are stopped by cops.
By OnNoNotAgain on October 28th, 2009 at 10:19 am
We need to lose the badges for people like that, and also the license plates for personal vehicles indicating you are a probate judge or a “summary court judge” or a county treasurer, etc., etc., etc.
By Rik on October 28th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I know from firsthand experience that the City of Columbia suppresses incident reports, and complaints on officers. They are even trained in how to persuade people from complaining about policeman, and when a complaint is filed the supervisor in under no obligation to send it up the chain of command.
I talked to the chief on 3 occasions and he is…”morally relaxed” where is officers and their actions are concerned. I can away from the experience knowing that the City of Columbia was corrupt.
keep up the good work Will…
By PasserBy on October 28th, 2009 at 10:54 am
FITS:
I think we need the DOJ to look into this one as public corruption. I’m usually against ‘Big Brother’ looking over our shoulder, but no one from SC Gov’t is going to investigate at all.
By yo on October 28th, 2009 at 10:58 am
“After being apprehended, Corning flashed his Attorney General’s badge – a gold, law enforcement badge that McMaster hands out to the attorneys and political operatives who work in his office.”
Hey Jackie,
This line makes it seem like the AG hands out that badge like a candy treat. In reality, these prosecutors are a member of law enforcement and have always had a badge, just like all of the county solicitors around the State.
By john on October 28th, 2009 at 11:01 am
i am sooooo glad i quit working for these assholes
By Fitna on October 28th, 2009 at 11:06 am
!Having fits for FITS!
We would have never known about this sans Sic Willie’s big-a55 mouth.
By Dearest Whiners on October 28th, 2009 at 11:12 am
If you want a badge, all you have to do is go to law school, get good grades, take a job making crap pay, work your butt off putting bad guys away in hopes of making your beloved State a safer place, and then listen to a bunch of ungrateful citizens whine about your law enforcement badge.
Why do cops have badges? To identify themselves as law enforcement. Prosecutors are members of law enforcement- the cops make arrests and the prosecutors put them in jail.
Instead of whining about power trips, why don’t you get off your rear end and actually do something to better your community.
really.
By Ben on October 28th, 2009 at 11:25 am
“Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, when contacted Tuesday night and read the report, said, “I don’t think the officer did anything wrong.” Coble declined to comment further.”…..this from The State article.
How in the world can he say that? Are you kidding me????? Failure to arrest a prostitute and someone soliciting a prostitute not “anything wrong”????? Has he had any trysts in the cemetery where he has been let go, is that why he said this statement??
By Darth on October 28th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Where in Argentina is this cemetary? And here we thought all the Columbia allegations of necrophilia revolved around either the Hunley Commission or Wil’s fascination with asphyxiation play.
By OnNoNotAgain on October 28th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Dearest Whiners’ attitude is actually scary.
Sure, cops and some prosecutors do all the things he says and help better their communities. But they aren’t the only ones working to better their community. Bringing crap like this to light is another way, even if Sic has a slightly immature approach at times.
What exactly was Assistant Deputy Attorney General Roland S. Corning doing to better his community with a hooker, sex toys and some viagree in a public cemetery in the middle of the afternoon. How does a chemically induced eerection make Columbia or SOuth Carolina better? I would really like to know.
And they have that badge to identify themselves as law enforcement? is that right? He wasn’t flashing the badge to get his butt out of a jam?
Cops have a tough job. I get that, love them for doing it. But cops and law enforcement types with badges who are probably paper-pushers in some office aren’t a better class of people, nor a higher caste of citizen.
The badge in this case was a “get out of jail free” card, nothing more. It abused the badge, sullied the badge, and for “Dearest Whiners” to attack those who are questioning shows you the dangerous mindset.
The worst kinds of prosecutors and cops are those who think they are better than not just the criminals they go after but the normal folk they are supposed to serve and protect.
Those types are always the ones who get into trouble, because sooner or later, they see how much money even the petty crooks are making, and they think they are entitled.
So somebody needs to slap your butt into place, Dearest W.
By sclawboy on October 28th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
The State is now saying there will be no investigation because the officer could not have charged anyone with a crime. Are you kidding me?
http://www.thestate.com/breaking/story/1002851.html
By The Gator on October 28th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Look folks, I think the entire populace is overreacting to Senor Corning’s activities. Being a duly qualified law enforcement person of sorts, we just don’t know all the things being investigated. Corning was undoubtedly doing an undercover, in-depth, horizontal investigation into local crime and corruptation, rooting deep into a youth’s involvement and her attempt at getting a job in the Great Economic Recovery of Columbia. If our chief grand poobahess can get away with late night tipsy demolition derby driving with nary a slap on her little wrist, why should we even raise an eyebrow when a devoted pubic servant like Corning is simply doing his job. Maybe getting ready for the Great Pumpkin to arrive in Elmwood Cemetery and getting his cover ready?????
Kick back, grab a brewski and relax – you’re in South Carolina and a victim of South Carolina State Gummint!
By ohara on October 28th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Hear hear, OnNoNotAgain. You nailed it.
“What exactly was Assistant Deputy Attorney General Roland S. Corning doing to better his community with a hooker, sex toys and some viagree in a public cemetery in the middle of the afternoon. How does a chemically induced erection make Columbia or South Carolina better?
And they have that badge to identify themselves as law enforcement? is that right? He wasn’t flashing the badge to get his butt out of a jam?”
Couldn’t agree more!
By Laura on October 28th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I agree with PasserBy. Enough already, just call DC & get them to investigate the political arena in this state, from top to bottom, whatever the cost. Until the rotten apples are out, nothing will improve.
I thought it was just the smaller towns, like Cheraw, but apparently it’s the entire state. The worst part is that when you stand up against these folks, citizens, criminals they protect, & their families get angry with you. You’re causing trouble, making the town or state look bad, hurting their families. What about who they hurt?
An 18-year-old girl, huh? Tried to run, did he? Anyone else would have been arrested for trying to flee. Sanction the cop, too. Most of them have always been nothing more than, yes BIN, a beatdown squad for the politicos.
By ohara on October 28th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Best line of the year (outside of Sanford’s Hikin’ the Trail.”
From the FITS link for the State article:
“‘At that point I asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, which he stated no and gave consent to search,’ Wines wrote.
The search revealed a sex enhancement drug and some sex toys. According to the report, Corning told Wines he had a prescription for the medication (Viagra) and the other items were always in the car “just in case.”
—
Yeah, yeah, right Corning. Everyone keeps their sex toys in the car right next to their jumper cables and tire iron “just in case.”
By rebel on October 28th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Wait, I’ve already read this book, Striptease by Carl Hiassen. Erin’s boyfriend Darrell is gonna be pissed off when he hears she was with Congressman Dilbeck.
By RedBank Bar on October 28th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Geez, what a bunch of crying ignoramuses. No one was arrested because the cop knew the law and knew he hot witnesses probable cause of any nature that a crime had been committed.
He saw someone leave the scene he was at in a suspicious manner. That’s not a crime. Two people were in a car fully clothed. Not a crime. They had sex toys in the car. Not a crime. They didn’t confess to the officer. Not a crime.
Case closed due to fitz stupidity.
By RedBank Bar on October 28th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Sorry, …knew he had not witnessed probable cause…
By Brian on October 28th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Not to worry, turns out it was all part of the job:
SC Attorney General’s office repels zombie attack with graveyard sex (http://bit.ly/34KmND)
By PasserBy on October 28th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
RedBank:
I wasn’t saying that the cop could have made the charge stick; trespassing, and reckless driving come to mind as well as resisting arrest (trying to run, not fighting back). I’m more concerned with him calling the AG’s office and THEM telling a LOCAL cop not to charge their person. Some things are discretionary for cops, but apparently not if you happen upon politically connected figures; then someone gets to tell the cop what to do.
By Crooner on October 28th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Sex enhancement drug??!! Do you mean he had pot?
When I saw the title to this piece I thought they were actually doing it in an open grave.
By anony on October 28th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Dearest Whiners:
You’re an idiot if you think the assistant AGs “get good grades” in law school. Hell, look at the AG himself. He’s a moron. Assistant AG is an interim job you take until you can find something better.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on October 28th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Now that the dust has cleared and the Viagra has worn off, did anyone learn anything from fits that was not available in the “main stream media?”
No!
Does anyone in their right mind (asking a lot of some of sic(k) willie’s readers) think sic(k) willie “broke” this story?
No!
sic(k) willie just wants to “interview” the woman involved. sic(k) willie has always loved him some lap dances but hates to pay (unless 2 for 1).
By Frequent Flyer on October 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Looks like more counseling duties for Cubby Culbertson. Who knows maybe ole Cubby can get his own TV show after all the sexcapades of late.
By Soft Sigh From Hell on October 28th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
What better place than among the headstones?
By Designated Driver on October 28th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Cemetery, things get deep. About six feet. Or maybe six inches in the case of Corning.
By Advocate on October 28th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
There needs to be an ethics investigation of the state employees involved if there is any indication that someone from the AG’s office attempted to exert influence in the handling of this case.
Maybe Craig will file a complaint with the ethics commission?
By Soft Sigh From Hell on October 28th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
The Cubby Culbertson thrillers:
“Sin on ‘C’ Street”
“‘Hot’ Pursuit of Pampas Poon”
“Case of the ‘Crypt Canoodlers’”
By Mike at the beach on October 29th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Redbank,
Brother you are truly delusional if you believe for one second that if that had been a regular, Joe Sixpack john in that graveyard he too would have been released (without so much as a ticket). Good cops can always figure out a way to get the job done…
By VIEHARIS on October 29th, 2009 at 7:30 am
NOW WHAT I DON’T UNDERSTAND IS THAT YOU CAN GET STOPED, HAVE SEX IN Cemetery , YOUR DRIVER CAN DRIVE OVER 115 MILES PER HOUR ON HIGHWAY 20 , OUR LEADER CAN GO ACROSS THE WORLD ON OUR TAX DOLLARS TO SEE HIS SOUL MATE. STATE TROOPERS CAN HIT BLACK MEN WITH THERE CARS AND NOT BE FOUND GUILTY, BEAT THEM HALF TO DEATH AND NOT BE FOUND GUILTY. SHERIFFS DEPT CAN PUT A MAN IN JAIL FOR SOMETHING HE DIDNT DO AND THEN SAY SORRY!!! AND OFFICER WINES CALLS HIS WIFE TO ASK IF Roland S. Corning IS THIS MANS REAL NAME AND HE’S HAVING SEX IN THE CEMETERY , WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AREESTED. WHEN OUR LT GOV CAN GET DRUNK AND GO DOWN THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT ANY OF THESE THINGS WHEN IT SHOULD. ARE THEY SPECIAL PEOPLE OR WHAT. THEN THE MAN THAT HANDLES OUR STATE MONEY CAN BUY COCAINE AND GIVE HIS HOUSE GUEST COCAINE , BUT HE BOUGHT IT FROM A SMALL DEALER THAT RECEIVED THE MOST TIME FOR THIS. BUT U CAN TAKE CARE OF OUR STATE MONEY HA HA !!! AND OUR CHIEF OF JUSTISE CAN HIT SOMEONE’S CAR LEAVE THE SCENE AND ACT LIKE IT DIDNT HAPPEN AND NO CHARGES PRESSED. BUT THESE ARE OUR LEADERS? !!!! RIGHT. TO TOP IT OFF ONE OF OUR OWN REP JOE WILSON HAD THE NERVE TO CALL OUR PRESIDENT A LIAR!!!! AND ALL YALL FOOLS RAISED MORE THEN 4 MILLOIN DOLLARS FOR WHAT PURPOSE TO SUPPORT HIM HA HA!!!! AGAIN I SAY THESE ARE OUR LEADERS? BUT A BLACK MAN GETS THE MOST TIME FOR THE COCAINE THAT HE SOLD TO THE MAN THAT HANDLES THE STATES MONEY “WHAT A JOKE”.BUT OUR LEADERS RIGHT?!!! AND WALK OFF WITH A SLAP ON THE HAND, FAIR?! BUT IF A BLACK MEN /WOMEN OR YOUNG BLACK BOY/ GIRL JUST LOOK WRONG, OR IS WEARING “THE WRONG THING”, OR NOT LOOKING CLEAN CUT OR DRIVING SOMETHING WITH 24? ON IT, OR EVEN WORSE PLEASE !!!! DONT BE ON BROAD RIVER ROAD AND BE BLACK U MIGHT GET THE “DEATH SENTENCE”. SO TELL ME, DO YOU HAVE TO BE WHITE AND IN POLITICS OR HAVE OLD MONEY OR JUST ALOT OF MONEY, OR KNOW THE RIGHT PEOPLE SO WE AS A SOCIETY CAN BE TREATED FAIR IN COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA OR DO ALL BLACK PEOPLE NEED HAVE THESE THING SO WE CAN BE TREATED FAIR YOU TELL ME? I NEED TO KNOW ? I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING IN LIFE , JUST DONT TREAT ALL BLACKS THE SAME. NOW IF ANY THING LIKE THIS HAPPEN TO THE COMMON BLACK MEN , WOMEN, BOY, GIRL YOU WANT TO GIVE US THE GAS RIGHT. SO WHATS GOOD FOR ONE IS GOOD FOR ALL!!!! COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA U NEED O CHECK YOUR SELF AND TREAT EVERYONE FAIR!!!!
By jrush on October 29th, 2009 at 7:31 am
What do you want on your tombstone?
By Mike at the beach on October 29th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Redbank,
Brother you are truly delusional if you believe for one second that if that had been a regular, Joe Sixpack john in that graveyard he too would have been released (without so much as a ticket). Good cops can always figure out a way to get the job done…
OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi
By VIEHARIS on October 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
So it this going to be another thimg that is sweep under the rug ? When will the buck stop with these people? does any one know ? It just not fair.
By Rick on October 29th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Cemetary, 18 year old hooker, ass’t AG, sex toys,…..sounds like a bad episode of Cops. Maybe he was making an illegal Dildo purchase and the Cop intruded, thereby busting a year long investigation into prostitution and sex toys,costing the state untold thousands of pennies and setting law enforcement back decades if not minutes? Or, how about the Asst AG was doing research for the congressional members? Answering such questions as: type and texture of preferred sex toy, minimal age requirement for enhanced oral communication capabilities? Ya know, is an 18 year old better than a 21 year old? I’m sure the legislature is eagerly awaiting the results of the investigation.
As if the unemployment situation, crappy legislative body and the Lov Gov isn’t enough bullshit to deal with, we have an old man with a badge and sporting wood, not to mention a new scrip for viagra and a honey to road test it on.
By Todd on October 29th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Rick Sanchez, CNN has been bashing South Carolina about this all afternoon.
By Red Bank Bar on October 30th, 2009 at 5:58 am
It wasn’t trespassing. The land wasn’t posted. Reckless driving has to be on the public highways, not private property. You have to know you’re under arrest to resist arrest.
No one at the AG’s office told Wines not to arrest Corning. Again, what’s the probable cause for what alleged crime?
I repeat, what a bunch of dumb arses led by the dumb arse in chief here at fitz.
By What the ####? on October 30th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
The other news agencies have been reporting that the 18 year old girl is a stripper at a local club. I haven’t read one thing that was criminal. The police officer at best had reasonable suspicion. I did not read of one solid probable cause fact or reason to make a traffic stop. He did not clock the vehicle speeding, spinning the tires or speeding by law does not constitute reckless driving. He had a prescription for the “sex enhancing” drug. He was on a public road at a cemetery. The last time I checked it was not against the law to have sex toys in your vehicle. The police officer called the A.G.s office to confirm weather or not Corning worked there. I agree that he was involved in inappropriate behavior but I saw nothing criminal. I read a few comments that suggested the officer should have arrested Corning any way. The police officer is responsible to make sure has justification and evidence to prosecute the person charged; not to mention the possibility of being sued for civil rights violations and false arrest.
VIEHARIS how did this become racial??
By What the ####? on October 30th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
“VIEHARIS” Furthermore, there were several white men hit by patrol cars but the main stream media chose not to show those to keep the racial flames burning. The last one they showed, when the patrol car chased the black man through the apartment complex and hit him; the trooper was black. The media, for some reason failed to mention that little detail. You also mentioned the police beating the Black man half to death; if you will remember the truck driver in Sumter county in 2006 who was repeatedly kicked in the head on video was white and so was the trooper SHOCKER, no not really. When these crooks and hoods lead police on high speed chases and do stupid crap sometimes the police officers lose control because they are human just like you and me. It usually has nothing to do with what color they are. You said in your comment that Roland S. Corning and the girl had sex in the cemetery. I never heard or read where they actually had sex. That might have been the plan but the officer’s report stated that the car pulled off almost as soon as it arrived due to the patrol car being sighted by him. You claimed that our Lt. Gov. was drunk and driving on the wrong side of the road and nothing was done. I only know of two incidents, one in 2003 and one in 2006 where he was stopped for speeding not D.U.I. You mentioned a white politician buying cocaine from a black drug dealer. You claim the Politician got off with a slap and the Black drug dealer got the max. This is what I found on the subject. The following came from WLTX19 archives. Thomas Ravenel was the SC state treasurer. “The indictments accuse Ravenel, 44, and Michael Miller, 25, of distributing less than 500 grams of cocaine starting in late 2005. They’re officially indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute.”
Officials say Ravenel bought the drugs from Miller to share with other people. U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd says Ravenel didn’t sell any of the drugs. Lloyd says the investigation is just beginning. Both men face a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. This is what the outcome was: Updated Friday March 14, 2008 5:06pm
“According to breaking reports from wltx.com, former state treasurer Thomas Ravenel was sentenced late this afternoon to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $221,323 in fines. Ravenel was also ordered to enter a substance abuse program and enter a mental health program, if it is deemed neccessary. According a report released in The State, Michael Miller, the co-defendant of former state treasurer Thomas Ravenel, was sentenced to ten months in prison and three years of supervised release for guilty plea to two federal drug charges.” Michael, the BLACK MAN did not even pay a fine. Ravenel lost his job, Michael’s job was selling dope. What about the mayor of Atlantic Beach Retha Peirce. She seems to have a Teflon coat. Her charges and arrest include ” Hit and Run at a traffic accident, Leaving the scene of an accident, Trespass, D.U.I. and resisting arrest;” and she is still the mayor of Atlantic Beach. People get tired of seeing the race card played constantly, I know I do. This subject had nothing to do with race until your comment was posted. I’m sure there are people that are racist in all areas of our society, rich, poor, white collar, blue collar but it also works both ways. There is just as much reverse discrimination and racism floating around. Mostly what you mention in the end of your comment is the Back scratching and palm greasing system. The only color that is a factor is green, MONEY. Perfect example O.J. Simpson. Rep. Joe Wilson called the President of the United states of America a liar. I agree that was stupid, impulsive, embarrassing to him, the president and South Carolina. Wilson later apologized for his comments. I also agree with you on Chief Justice Toal on the hit and run issue. Those last two comments are the only ones you made that had a shread of truthful factual information. The rest is basically emotionally charged misinformation or bald face lies; only you can answer that question. Everything I wrote can be verified through the use of the web.
By Lichtig on October 30th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
RBB has it right. There was no crime here. Mr. Corning’s punishment is plenty. Someone will probably file a grievance against the poor SOB over this–actually, probably a number of folks who are incarcerated will do so. He will be dealing with those for a long time.
Stupid mistake, yes. Prosecutable offense, no.
By Mike at the beach on October 31st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Couple of things-
I don’t know who reposted my earlier comment with the added line about somebody being my “favorite blogger,” but it wasn’t me. That’s an interesting hobby…
Although I’ll never get this five minutes back, I feel compelled to address a few mistaken comments made here in regard to the legal issues attendant to the big graveyard caper.
First, here in SC the offense of Reckless Driving most certainly does apply to private property. Not only has our AG (ironic, no?) rendered opinions in this regard as far back as the mid-seventies, but our legislature clarified it for us by stating simply that, “the provisions of Articles 9 and 23 shall apply upon highways and elsewhere throughout the State.” SC’s Reckless Driving statute (§56-5-2930) is found in Article 23.
In regard to resisting, there’s more than one way to skin that cat. As a City of Columbia officer, Wines has the entire City Code or Ordinances from which to pull in addition to SC State law. Like most cities, Cola law restricts several different types of resisting at much lower levels than State law.
For example, §10-34 states that, “It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with or molest a police officer in the lawful discharge of his duties.”
Attempting to field interview a suspect is one of those “duties,” and spinning your tires the hell outta there would probably “interfere” with all that…
§10-36 makes it “unlawful for any person in the city to willfully and knowingly fail or refuse to stop when signaled, hailed or commanded to stop by a police officer or other officer of the city.”
I wasn’t there, but I bet at some point the officer either activated his lights or verbally ordered Corning to stop. If not, then the fact that Corning’s speedy retreat was contemporaneous to Wines’ arrival was merely coincidental. Could be, I guess, so…
Check this out…
§14-212. Inviting or enticing persons for immoral purpose.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to invite, entice or solicit any person upon any public place in the city to accompany, go with or follow him for the purpose of engaging in prostitution or any other lewd or lascivious act.
(b) For the purpose of this section, a “public place” shall mean an area generally visible to public view and includes streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, parking lots, automobiles (whether moving or not), and those portions of buildings open to the general public, including those which serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.
There are others, but you get the point.
So here we are, according to the State’s rendition of the CPD report:
- Corning’s vehicle was spotted in an area with a history of problems (sex acts, drug abuse).
- The vehicle speeds away upon sighting the officer, spinning tires in the process.
- Once stopped by other officers, they get conflicting statements from the two occupants.
- The consensual search of the vehicle reveals “sex toys” and some kind of prescription sex enhancement drug.
- The passenger was an 18 year-old employee of a local adult club.
I bet some judge somewhere would have taken all of that into consideration as part of the required probable cause for some misdemeanor City ticket. Ditto a Reckless ticket.
My only point here is this- to say that there’s nothing that could have been done is just plain disingenuous. It was within the officer’s discretion to make a case or decline to do so; it was his call to make and he made it. Wines didn’t do anything wrong, Corning did. Just don’t say that nothing could have been done.
By Purplefiend on November 1st, 2009 at 1:03 am
BADGE = PENIS SUBSTITUTE
By Objective Observer on November 5th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
56-5-2930 is the D.U.I. statute, and is enforceable on private property. I agree Corning was up to no good but to make a criminal charge just because of who he is and where he was with an 18 year old stripper would have been a chicken @#$% charge. I’m sure that Columbia probably has several ordinances he could have been charged with breaching. Calling his wife probably would have been enough of a kick in the @##!
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