City Of Columbia: Keepin’ Corruption In The Family
By FITSNews || Less than twenty-four hours after the City of Columbia’s most corrupt “poverty pimp” pleaded guilty to federal income tax evasion, leaders of South Carolina’s Capitol City are bending over backward (behind closed doors) to see that his son inherits his office.
Sheesh.
And we wonder why this city – recently dubbed the “Face of the Recession” – is going to hell in a hand basket so quickly …
Sources tell FITS that a closed-door deal is currently in the works that would allow disgraced City of Columbia Councilman E.W. Cromartie II to resign his office Wednesday morning (which he would be forced to do eventually as part of his plea agreement) – provided, of course, that the date for the “special election” to replace him is set for April 6, the same day as the Columbia mayoral race.
Why does this matter?
Well, as FITS reported earlier Tuesday, voter turnout in Cromartie’s predominantly African-American district is expected to be through the roof that day, as one of the city’s top three mayoral candidates – Steve Benjamin – is African-American.
What else might ensure that this seat stays in the hands of the cabal that has run this city’s finances into the ground?
Well … what about running E.W. Cromartie III as a candidate?
Seriously, you wouldn’t even have to change the name on the ballot …
Amazingly, that’s exactly what’s happening.
In fact, City Council is scheduled to meet this Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m., at which point Council members will go into “executive session” to put the finishing touches on this “corrupt bargain.” When they reemerge, they will announce Cromartie’s resignation and inform the public that the special election date has indeed been set for April 6.
Within hours, we’re sure, Cromartie’s “mini-me” will announce his candidacy.
You gotta love politics in South Carolina, people.
Anyway, with Cromartie’s “mini-poverty pimp” duly installed, expect the City of Columbia to continue down its current path of taxing residents and businesses back to the stone age to fund a bunch of failed government-run “economic development …”
UPDATE: Given the pressure they were facing on this, City of Columbia held Wednesday’s vote in open session. A small victory. Sadly, the “corrupt bargain” remains in place …
Comments
By OhNoNotAgain on March 9th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
You want mutant sharks with laser beams, and all you get is ill-tempered sea bass.
With laser beams.
By caintstandit on March 9th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Nauseating.
By Todd on March 9th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
If EWC, III was a partner with his father in all the shenanigans going on within that law office, wouldn’t he have a little exposure here also? Anybody else think I S Leevy Johnson has already worked a deal with Queen Jean to save EWC, III from any discipline in this mess?
By Checking in on March 9th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
I just am waiting to see who he dimes out….no one gets the the deal he got including the polygraph part when he’s not about to drop on someone…..
By newzjunkie on March 9th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
@Todd: Queen Jean is state… This is a federal case… Like Judge Perry…
By Todd on March 9th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
newzjunkie: ALL attorney discipline is state, not federal. Like Queen Jean.
By 803andy on March 9th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Cromartie is the best to ever do it. You got to tip your hat to him, even though he is shady. He is consistent and very clever. He is the best to ever do it. He is on the way to jail and he is replacing himself with his son???? That is an ultra power move.
He’ll surprise you every time, he’s not going anywhere.
By Stand Strong on March 9th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
@ Todd ~ E.W. is doing time in a federal prison because this is a federal case. He violated Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201 and Title 31, United States Code, Sections 5324(a)(3) and 5324(d). Keep your facts straight …
By Stand Strong on March 9th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I totally agree with 803andy.
By Todd on March 9th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Thank you, Stand Strong and newzjunkie: The question has been blazing for those who care as to why the Feds would put in the agreement the proviso that Cromartie resign from the SC Bar. That is strictly a state function. If you need authority, let me know. Some of us have all but beaten Sic Willie to reveal his sources who claim that the Feds are watching Queen Jean and her corrupt ODC. The Feds know that any attorney discipline in SC is completely at Toal’s discretion. And newzjunkie: Judge Perry? Check his ruling in an attorney discipline/criminal case heard before him September 26, 2007. He blew the credibility of the SC ODC completely out of the water that day – and Lee Coggiola’s son was his law clerk.
By Ynotfirst on March 10th, 2010 at 7:24 am
many elected leaders who violate federal law never get properly investigated since they have the power to stop investigations, like our Governor
By Stand Strong on March 10th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
My bad Todd … you are right about atty discipline.
By Mr. Goodman on March 10th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Columbia doesn’t need an Afro-American mayor. Maybe a black man that is an American. I have found that any negro that refers to their nationality as “Afro-American” is a bigot. Its too bad white people don’t have balls anymore. E.W. Cromartie and every ill tempered sour looking negro that has been elected has been a disgrace to their race.
Jimmy the Greek was correct.
By Keith H. Seymour on March 10th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
As a Contributing Editor to SCHotline.com, I would suggest that you guys check out the update on this story. After further investigation from a reliable source (bare in mind Fits.com does not site their source) within City Hall, it was found that the Fits.com report on E.W. Cromartie’s son was not in anyway based in truth. In point of fact, the vacanacy must be legally advertised first, and my source tells me no one has show any interest.
By Keith H. Seymour on March 10th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
It should also be noted that all city council meetings are open to the public. They are held every Wednesday. Any interested person may contact Erika Salley city clerk, and ask her to send you the minutes, agendas, and action reports. They are required to adhere to these request by law, under the freedom of information act of 1964. So Fits.com is wrong when they say the meeting was held, because of media attention or public pressure.