Trouble In Red Bank?
We know this is going to come as a shock to those of you who follow the cesspool that is South Carolina politics, but it appears as if State Senator Jakie “Ol Knocky” Knotts (RINO-Lexington) has gotten himself involved with some shady individuals …
Yeah, who’d a thunk it, right?
Reported Kara Gormley of WIS TV 10 (Columbia, S.C. – NBC) is reporting that Knotts and U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson and John Spratt are connected to convicted felon Weldon Waites, who was recently busted by the FBI for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and insurance fraud, among other charges.
While Wilson and Spratt merely took campaign contributions from Waites, WIS has learned that Knotts took a job as “security director of corporate development” with one of Waites’ companies, StarTech.
From WIS TV:
A former StarTech CEO testified before the House of Representatives that Waites, a majority stock holder in a company with an annual revenue of $27 million, wasn’t covering payroll, but was managing to pay his personal expenses.
Expenses that she said included a check to a company called Kawliga for Gamecock Pavilion lots B-3 and B-4 — prime tailgating spaces outside of Williams-Brice Stadium.
According to the articles of corporation filed with the Secretary of State’s office, Kawliga LLC’s officers are listed as Senator Jake Knotts and his wife, Betty.
Those spaces are worth $32,000 dollars according to the Richland County Assessor’s Office.
We wanted to ask Knotts about his job at (StarTech) and his relationship with Waites, but the senator didn’t return calls.
Interesting …
Last time we checked, the only income reported by Knotts on his statement of economic interest forms (which are filed with the State Ethics Commission) was tied to his Senate salary, but maybe Gormley found something we didn’t.
We tried to call her to check it out, but our “call was forwarded to an automated voice message system.”
Which means Gormley may or may not be at the bottom of a Lexington County lake right now.
Kidding, kidding … at least we hope so.
Sen. Knotts wouldn’t hurt a fly … (long pause) Would he?
Anyway, assuming someone has the balls to ask “Ol’ Knocky” the tough questions, there could be a lot more to this story.
Comments
By Cheraw Citizen on October 29th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Not too shocked to see Spratt’s name. Starting to wonder about some other folks too, with regard to the political mess in Chesterfield County, including Sheheen.
Is there anyone in SC politics, that does not have some serious dirt on their hands? Dear God, should we all just leave the state to them & let it be their personal sandbox?
At what point in history did a majority of willing-to-do-anything slimeballs decide to take over this state politically? It almost makes one wish NC would just annex this state & be done.
I’d really love to see some folks in DC, NOT the C Street Family, take an interest in cleaning up this state.
By are you serious on October 29th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Where does Vince Sheheen come in here? If you’re just going to blame the General Assembly members who are there just for being from there I guess you should blame Ted Vick too, and maybe the mayors of McBee and Patrick, or the county council…but wait…those people are not running for Governor, so the rules of hearsay dictate to you here that they’re not important enough to implicate without any kind of facts? This website started by suggesting Sen. Sheheen is somehow involved with the Solicitor’s office mess as early as June and now people like you are running with it. Sic didn’t have any more facts otherwise he would be talking about it still. A good way to generate hits but not exactly journalism.
By Cooter Brown on October 29th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Dis feller iz as dirtie as th’ belly ov a snake slithirin’ threw red georgia clay afta a long, hard rain!
He seyz heeze da sin-a-or ov th’ peoples, but dont want hiz votes on record. Sho’ he voted fer our flag, but he continuously votes against da interests ov our peoples. Bravo, Mista Knotts, on yer flag stance– but whut ’bout our peoples an’ deir rites?!?! Whares yer moral compass on dat dare issue?
It wuldn’t hurt ol’ Cooter’s feelin’ if’n Ol’ Knockitie-Knocks ended up in da pokey, witch iz whare he belons! ‘Course, I’d sho settle fer his big arse t’ bee outta da sinate chambas an’ call it a day!
By donny on October 29th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Senators don’t have to disclose income from non-government sources dumbass.
By Bill on October 29th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Knotts is a two-fer. A bully and a pig.
Expect the worse of Knotts and his friends, double it, and you will be spot on.
By Marky Mark on October 29th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I guess ol Jakie is learning that you cant throw stones when you live in a glass house, wouldn’t be too surprised if the governors crowd was not involved in the breaking of this information…
By political hack on October 29th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Jesus FITS what are you the IRS for SC now? If you dug deep enough I’m sure you find all sorts of “shady deals” involving tailgating spots at Billy Brice and members of the Soviet, I mean General Assembly. Just some good ol’ boys, never meaning no harm…
By Skidmarks on October 29th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
If “Senators don’t have to disclose income from non-government sources,” by damn they ought to be required to.
By Cheraw Citizen on October 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
are you serious,
Sheheen was one person called regarding the solicitor investigation in Chesterfield County. Others in Cola. were called.
Someone is keeping a lid on things, as far as this area goes, because the good ole boys who stand accused are still pickin & grinnin, not missing a beat.
Personally, I believe Sheheen’s a decent candidate & that we won’t be seeing graveyard trysts & trips to Argentina from him. I believe he’ll work hard to do the right thing.
As damaging as it may be, he & other political folks need to step back & let the chips fall where they may concerning Chesterfield’s investigation or one in any part of the state, especially Cola.
Just saying it’s time any of the politicians or anyone involved with such rubbish as we’ve seen in the past year should answer for it. Too much damage has been done & too many people have been hurt. If they answer for what they’ve done, then the next folks in office will hopefully think twice before they behave in such a manner.
By Old Bike Dude on October 29th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
re: South Carolina, it’s new for Mexico.
By Bin There on October 29th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Sic Willie – I am stunned you don’t have the video of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Jr. singing “Kawliga” since that was the name of the fake corporation were Jake is President and Betty Knotts is Vice President. Come on – where is your spunk?
By BIN News Editorial Staff on October 29th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Look at the pot calling the kettle black. sic(k) willie knows him “some shady individuals.” Heaven knows he’s worked for enough of them.
BTW, sic(k) willie, when-oh-when will you ever give us the details you promised and promised about your claim that a Midlands’ elected official has a Strom problem? We are still holding our breaths at BIN News.
By Ynot on October 29th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Seems like an awful lot of dirt is finally being beat out of the rug
By Frank on October 30th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Kara from WIS News did have the “balls” to ask Jakie Knotts the tough questions, he just did not have the balls himself to speak to her instead he had Rod Shealy speak on his behalf which made jakie look even more guilty of corruption if you can make jakie look more corrupt than he is. But yeah, there is more to this story and alot more others to come.
Way to go Kara for your courage to expose Jakie Knotts for the corrupt ass he is and look forward to hearing more on your follow up to this story and others that Jakie is connected to that is criminal and corrupt.
By Commonman on October 30th, 2009 at 7:51 am
If a state employee is required to file an Ethics Form with the Ethics Commission, outside income and other business interests have to be disclosed. Is it different for a Senator? At least that is what I thought. If I am wrong, it should be required.
By Nyet on October 30th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Yay Kara!
By Knott-A-Jakie Fan on October 30th, 2009 at 9:34 am
First, Senator Knotts does not live in RedBank so please disassociate our community with the Senator from West Columbia. Second, where did you get that picture??? Definately not RedBank, maybe Pelion, Gaston, or some place else, but not RedBank.
Now, really someone should check on Ms. Gormley if she has not surfaced…. Jakie does not take to being questioned or opposed… Good Luck, Kara….. Don’t let this just fade away!!!!
By Rylyn on October 30th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Thank you Kara for not being a whimp like most of the media when it comes to Mr. Knotts. He has bullied the Lexington County and the State of SC way to long. Thanks for a great report! Keep up the good work…don’t let it stop now.
By Nyet on October 30th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Knott-A-Jakie Fan –
By golly — you are right. There are similar vehicles, but no 7-elevens. And definitely no mountains in Redbank. Not snow-capped ones, anyhoo.
At first I was mistaking this Get & Go for what used to be the Citgo on #6, opposite Maurice’s.
:)
By Jonny D on October 30th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
“Security Director of Corporate Development” huh? Can you say Wilford Brimley (The Firm)…
(at :53, 1:35, 1:55 and 2:08)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-FldpeZmlc
By Soft Sigh From Hell on November 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 am
Who remembers the old “Men of Red Bank” calendar?
Goobers, grits, gas-hog trucks, and guns.
Though stay your criticisms, I’m really kind of fond of the while culture. But I like the antics and howling on the monkey island at the zoo too.
By Soft Sigh From Hell on November 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 am
“Whole” culture, not “white” culture, and certainly not the mistyped “while” culture.
By Rylyn on November 3rd, 2009 at 8:47 pm
So right “knott a jakie fan” the senator is not from Red Bank and I’m sure they certainly don’t claim him.
By Knott-A-Jakie Fan on November 5th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Question:
Has anything else come of this investigation? Any word from Jakie? Come on, FITS, help Kara shake this out…….
By Gotcha on November 5th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Don’t know what will come of it but you can bet that if Weldon Waites “donated” one penny to anybody, he is expecting one hundred thousand pennies in return. FBI has been investigating him for quite some time. All anyone has to do is google him to find out just a little bit of how his entire life has been spent. He would throw Jesus Himself under the bus to position himself in a more favorable light. The good news? He’s just about run out of friends and options – - just about everyone knows him for what he really is; i.e. a liar, a cheat, and a thief. I would say he’s dangerous, but he is too much of a coward to be physically dangerous! Anyone could beat him to death with a wet noodle!