By FITSNews || “Victory has a thousand fathers and defeat is an orphan,” John F. Kennedy once said …
Well, in South Carolina, one of the so-called “fathers” of last October’s massive Boeing manufacturing deal may soon be wishing that he hadn’t claimed “paternity.”
Disgraced former Lowcountry judge (and current S.C. lieutenant gubernatorial candidate) Larry Richter is the latest Palmetto politico to brag about his role in landing the Boeing plant, telling a recent gathering of statewide candidates that his involvement in the deal proves that he can create jobs. Obviously, the ideological battle continues to rage as to whether the incentives package granted to Boeing will end up being a good deal for S.C. taxpayers, but for the time being most voters view the Boeing announcement in a positive light – hence the headlong rush by literally dozens of politicians to be associated with the deal.
According to sources familiar with the Boeing negotiations, however, Richter’s claim to have helped land the aircraft manufacturer strains credulity at best – and at worst is actually the opposite of what happened.
In fact, these sources say that the Charleston County Aviation Authority (CCAA) – the regional board of which Richter is a member – nearly torpedoed the deal.
“They almost screwed it up for the whole state,” the source says. “They put up every roadblock they could.”
In fact, Richter and CCAA’s attorney, Arnold Goodstein, were allegedly among the chief obstructionists during a critical phase of negotiations.
Specifically, the CCAA refused to negotiate directly with Boeing when it came time to lease the 240 acres of commercial real estate on which the new 787 Dreamliner assembly plant will be located.
As a result of the CCAA’s “inflexibility,” the S.C. Department of Commerce had to step in and lease all of the properties from the CCAA – and then turn around and lease them back to Boeing.
“Their refusal to directly contract with Boeing nearly cost us the deal,” another source tells FITS.
The CCAA did not immediately respond to our request for comment. Neither did Boeing, nor the S.C. Department of Commerce.
Richter isn’t the first statewide candidate to try and claim credit for the Boeing deal, nor will he be the last.
Obviously, Richter’s alleged collaborations with the Goodstein family have landed him in hot water in the past.
Last year, he was accused of colluding with Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and the Charleston Diocese to pocket $2.5 million in legal fees and “steer away” future molestation charges brought against the church by former altar boys.
Nice, huh?
That case is currently pending before federal court, but FITS has spoken with some of the altar boys who were “represented” by Richter, and we look forward to bringing you a special report based on those interviews soon.
We’ve also spoken with two sources who say that Richter directly solicited bribes from them during his tenure as a State Senator, which will be the focus of another upcoming report.
Richter gave up his seat on the bench two decades ago after he was accused of offering cocaine to a female law school student. Those charges resurfaced in 2002 and helped sink Richter’s aborted campaign for Attorney General.
He contemplated a bid for the S.C. Attorney General’s office earlier this year, but then decided to run for Lt. Governor when front-runner Tim Scott left that race to run for the U.S. Congress.
By CNChapin March 2, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Well, that question is answered! I was wondering who was spending the most amount of time on their knees under Boeing exec’s desks! I guess that is what you have to do to entice businesses to come to your state when you’re perpetuating business crushing taxes, laws, policies and regulations.
If the government was smaller and less intrusive (fiscally and otherwise), they’d NEVER have to offer special incentives to entice businesses to come here. The businesses would just come. I guess the problem then is that not one of them could individually take credit. They have to keep us sick so they can be our saviors! Munchausen syndrome by proxy anyone?
Want to solve the problem? Strangle the bastards who are poisoning you!
By HIPAA Violator March 2, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Sounds like a really nice guy.
By waiting March 2, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Remind me never to cross you Sic Willie!
By CNSYD March 2, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Sounds like Richter refused to let FITS run his campaign. I guess that is also why FITS is now turning on his used to be favorite girl Haley.
By Orkin Man March 2, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Richter prefers “Palmetto Bug”
By L.M. Ellison March 2, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Years ago, Goodstein’s law license was suspended for one year for tampering with evidence (a radio antenna being installed at the Navy Base), explaining his “year sabbatical” in Israel.
Goodstein instructed a subordinate to “cut off” a “Warning Label” on the antenna that one should not install the antenna during thunder storms. His client was the family of the installer who was electrocuted during a thunder storm there.
But the Navy had photographed the antenna before Goodstein had the label “cut off” and — bang — Goodstein’s “knife work” was exposed. Unethical as hell.
Like Richter.
By Patriot1776 March 3, 2010 at 4:31 am
Arnold was known for allegedly charging excessive fees and throwing gasoline on small fires when he represented Dorchester County School District. There are also some other highly questionable matters concerning the SCDOT.
He is the type who thinks if nobody is watching, then he will take risk. I fought him in court once and saw the billing he was charging. It was a bunch of BS. His clients are one term or short term. So he milks them for all he can get – till caught. Amazing his wife was elected to the bench. Political connections, I am sure.
By FLY March 3, 2010 at 8:15 am
Fits news please contact me through my eMail. I witnessed first hand the diabolical nature of the CockRoach. I know a victim of the CockRoach & I know he would be happy to speak to you.
After this victim was sexually molested by a pedophile & became CockRoach’s client, the CockRoach legally molested him.
The only people who defend the CockRoach are the ones who get in bed with him. Turn on the lights FITS News and make all the dirty politicians who aim to help the CockRoach scurry.
By Justice C. Kerr March 3, 2010 at 10:23 am
Larry “Hannibal” Richter is the epitome of evil. All who have dealt with him know this fact. He is sleeze of the worst sort. That he had ANYTHING to do with Boeing is a joke. Even more than most politicians, he will say anything to win. He thinks he is the smartest, most powerful person around. God help SC if he ever got any real power.