It’s become the ultimate “Whodunit.”
Or “Whereizzy.”
Tom Sponseller – the leader of one of South Carolina’s most influential political organizations and a man generally considered to be a devoted husband, loving father and doting grandfather – appears to have vanished into thin air.
In his wake of his disappearance this well-liked, well-respected State House lobbyist – who is also a retired Air Force officer and graduate of The Citadel military college – has left behind nothing but sadness. Well … sadness and troubling questions regarding the circumstances associated with his vanishing act.
By now, the facts of this case are well established: Sponseller was last seen at his downtown Columbia, S.C. office early Saturday afternoon. When he failed to show up as planned for a 2:00 p.m. Cub Scout event featuring his grandson, family members became worried. That evening, they called the Columbia, S.C. police department after numerous attempts to reach the 61-year-old had failed.
By Monday, news of Sponseller’s disappearance was all over local media, and Columbia cops had launched a full-scale investigation.
Since then, things have become incredibly murky … and increasingly suspicious.
Police say that a search of Sponseller’s car (which was discovered in its usual spot near his office building) revealed nothing suspicious. Ditto for a search of his office. They also confirmed that Sponseller’s phone and wallet were missing – but have refused to provide any information regarding efforts to track him via his phone or his credit cards. Nor have they revealed whether surveillance cameras captured any of Sponseller’s movements on Saturday (or thereafter).
That’s understandable … information like this is routinely withheld from the public in missing person cases.
Further fueling conspiracy theories, though, Columbia Police have told Sponseller’s family members and employees at the S.C. Hospitality Association not to speak to members of the media about the case – advice that they have followed (on the record, anyway).
Police also allegedly rebuffed efforts by Sponseller’s friends to form search parties – although a source close to the department tells FITS that Columbia police have not actually sought to discourage such activity.
So what really happened to Sponseller?
At this point we don’t know … nor do we pretend to know.
We can say, however, that multiple sources (including employees at the S.C. Hospitality Association, law enforcement officers with the Columbia Police Department and friends of Sponseller’s family) are independently confirming a similar story line to FITS.
Specifically, they believe the lobbyist’s disappearance is somehow tied to a former secretary at the association who was recently accused of embezzling funds from the organization. In fact, this woman is apparently the “new lead” referenced in our story Wednesday covering the State House vigil held for Sponseller.
Details about this woman (whose name we are withholding at the request of our law enforcement sources) are incredibly sketchy at this point. All we have been able to confirm (aside from her name) is that Sponseller recently fired her from her job at the association. We can’t even confirm at this point whether her termination had anything to do with the embezzlement allegations – which may involve as much as $900,000 of association money.
Beyond this basic information, theories regarding her connection to these events are literally all over the map – and once again we’re going to exercise restraint when it comes to speculating.
We can say that police have identified this woman as a person of interest in the ongoing investigation and that she is being actively sought for questioning.
Obviously we will bring our readers additional information on this “new lead” just as soon as we’re able to confirm it.
Once again, we would like to remind our readers that anyone with information regarding Sponseller’s disappearance should contact Midlands Crime Stoppers at (888) CRIME-SC or the Columbia Police Department at (803) 545-3500. Anonymous tips can also be emailed to Crimestoppers’ official website, or you can text “TIPSC” to “CRIMES” (274637) with any information you may have regarding Sponseller or any other missing person.
Our law enforcement sources say that they have received numerous tips related to the investigation over the last 48 hours, although they declined to say whether any of these leads produced actionable leads – or whether any of those tips involved the former employee referenced in this story.
Also, we would continue to urge our readers to keep Sponseller and his family in their thoughts and prayers …
***
By matt February 23, 2012 at 1:05 am
no new info, no new info, no new info, 2 sentences not previously released by the lamestream, and copy & paste… FITS FAIL!
By fitsnews February 23, 2012 at 8:29 am
we have tons of info that we have not published at the request of the police and in the interests of the missing person and his family.
we will publish it as we believe it to be appropriate.
-FITS
By bingo February 23, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Yet again the most common response ever by fits news if someone questions the story or comments how bad it was, “we have much more information blah blah blah, but for some reason or another we are not telling it now. we will later blah blah blah” the same was written about the haley affair allegations, the same lines were written about the so called proof into Wingo and his SAT stories. seriously man just say it for what it is worth, “we are trying to get people to read my site and we will act like we are going to say more at another time so you come back again” weak man, weak.
By dochoyer February 26, 2012 at 3:11 am
First of all in this report we don’t have the facts we need- gee you get police can’t give out all the information or what they are doing to jepordize Sponsellers life? You can assume all you want- you still don’t have the facts and people who make assumptions are usually wrong as they only go with their beliefs. And that makes you perfect and you never did anythoing wrong or always assummed if people didnt think like you or behave like you you were right> Most of you don’t even know Tom.
By JoeSchmoe February 23, 2012 at 5:52 am
“we’re going to exercise restraint when it comes to speculating”. Let hope that’s not a trend or this website will be no more.
Get home safe Tom.
By Sonja February 23, 2012 at 8:18 am
If writing speculations about this case could in any way reduce the likelihood that Tom can get home safely, I request that you refrain even more. The public does not need immediate access to details, especially if they could compromise Tom’s safety.
By dochoyer February 26, 2012 at 2:54 am
yes I agree we don’t need the details. his family is suffering.Dont assume what you don’t know without the facts.
By Capt Crunch February 23, 2012 at 8:19 am
Please check the building and surrounding area again.
By Confirmed February 28, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Capt Crunch had it right.
By Pootz February 23, 2012 at 8:37 am
“There was new info.”, Are you blind? Lol
No other article says anything about this woman who allegedly embezzled 900,000.
By Capt Crunch February 23, 2012 at 9:02 am
Still don’t believe this is malicious. If he got disorientated, he is in distress and needs to be found.
By Joe Blow February 23, 2012 at 9:18 am
I find it interesting that no reward has been offered as yet for info. on disappearance, standard procedure when a crime is suspected. S.’s family and business friends could certainly afford a substantial reward. Fits is on to something here that other media tip toeing around.
By atpcarolina February 23, 2012 at 9:52 am
I’m sorry I didn’t know you knew so much about the “S’s” financial status or that of his family and friends. Don’t assume that he or anyone in his family could afford a “substantial” reward. 1800Crimestoppers which is where tips and leads are encouraged to call in have their own rewards system set up. Stop posting comments that you don’t know anything about. You sound like a jackass!
By lawsonmpw February 23, 2012 at 9:17 pm
I second atpcarolina. Joe Blow, what do they say about assuming? Absolute jackass.
By dochoyer February 26, 2012 at 2:55 am
Sorry the family and friends are in distress and schocked an all you can think about is an reward? Give me a break!!
By James the Foot Soldier February 23, 2012 at 9:31 am
The “fraud triangle” shines the light on situations where large sums of *ah hem* money go missing.
Pressure, opportunity, and rationalization.
IMHO, Either the secretary was incredibly good for $900000 to go “missing” or there was more than one person involved.
Follow the money….
By sobeaufortco February 23, 2012 at 10:34 am
interesting that this page has been taken down. was on there yesterday looking at the staff contacts.
http://www.schospitality.org/displaystaff.cfm
By dochoyer February 26, 2012 at 2:59 am
So maybe this has to do with privacy, unsolicitatd phone calls and oh maybe the police investigation.
By cash February 23, 2012 at 10:57 am
According to SC Secretary of State’s office, there is a non-profit that Tom is tied into.
By Ed February 23, 2012 at 11:16 am
FITS article makes it sound like the secretary has not been found, i.e. missing. Is this the case?
By SilverChampion February 23, 2012 at 11:58 am
Well done article Mr. Folks. You must have your “professional” keyboard out and working. Not bad.
Men will disappear over two things money and you know what. Both together is a volatile mix.
By dochoyer February 26, 2012 at 3:00 am
First do you know him personally? Or are you just making a general assumption? And what is your expertise in this field?
By Googlemeister February 23, 2012 at 12:29 pm
sobeaufortco,
The cached version of that page in Google is here:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aleVjiNA_-cJ:www.schospitality.org/displaystaff.cfm+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
By Ed February 23, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Nice. I was trying to get google to pull that up and couldn’t get it at all.
By norman February 23, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Did we not have a previous Gov go missing?
By Super Brandon February 23, 2012 at 2:18 pm
I would keep your eye on The South Carolina Tourism and Hospitality Education Foundation.
By cash February 23, 2012 at 3:26 pm
According to SC Sec. of State, it’s a non-profit.
By cash February 23, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Would Rachel Duncan be that person of interest?
By CallMeAva February 23, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Looks like she was the only female staffer–unless there was another female staffer whose info was erased after she was dismissed???
By cash February 23, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Rachel was the accountant.
By Ed February 23, 2012 at 4:30 pm
I found another page with several additional females that work there, but this was an independent business webpage and these names were not listed on the webpage so I imagine it has nothing to do with those others.
There is a person with a similar name as RD who has several lawsuits against her in Lexington, foreclosure, debt collection and the like.
By cash February 23, 2012 at 4:33 pm
I am hearing that Rachel is no longer on staff.
By hmmmmm February 23, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Where did you hear that?
By Dr. Leonard Hofstadter February 23, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Check flight manifests. Unless he wanted to drive to Canada or Mexico before departing. What other explanation is there?
By dochoyer February 26, 2012 at 3:02 am
YOu don’t even know him. You are speculating regardless if you are a DR or not
By Super Brandon February 23, 2012 at 4:55 pm
CASH
THE FOUNDATION WOULD INDEED BE A NON-PROFIT, BUT I BELIVE THEY HAVE A TRUST FOR SCHOLORSHIP FUNDS.
By Tee February 23, 2012 at 7:55 pm
“BOMBSHELL” wish nancy grace was covering this case.
By Steve Miller and James Taylor February 24, 2012 at 7:46 am
So do you think they “took the money and run” to “Mexico ( I’ve never rally been there but I’d sure like to go.)”
By Steve Miller and James Taylor February 24, 2012 at 8:08 am
Really…not rally.
By Pete Davis February 24, 2012 at 3:37 pm
I think if he was going to take the money and run, Mexico would be the last place he would go. Mexican cops and their immigration people are corrupt and dangerous. Bahamas, Florida Keys, somewhere in the Caribbean maybe.
By TontoBubbaGoldstein February 24, 2012 at 5:09 pm
My bet is Key West. Dare them Yanqui imperialists to try and extradite you from the Conch Republic……
By Pete Davis February 25, 2012 at 9:44 am
It is fairly easy to hide in the Keys if you stay to yourself and don’t bother anyone.
By dochoyer February 26, 2012 at 3:05 am
First all of you are making assumptions and you don’t even know this guy. Guess that is how you explain your indescriations Good for you!
By Pete Davis February 26, 2012 at 8:51 am
dochoyer, I don’t think it is speculation about indiscretions. My goodness, man. The police surely have covered every aspect of his disappearance and he has not been found yet. Don’t you think most people are hoping that he is found alive but it does not sound good at this point after 2 wks?
If he is hiding out, which I don’t think he is, well you would wonder where he would go. Natural curiosity.
By Schwartz February 26, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Remember everytime you eat in Columbia, you are paying the 2 percent Sponseller tax. That’s why tourism and restaurants are building outside Columbia city limits and Columbia’s restaurant scene is awful.
By baulang March 14, 2012 at 12:18 am
Let anyone whom does have solid info keep their hearts wrapped around a family of total grief. I knew Tom personally for the last 22 years; I am hanging on to his non-participation as that is the case the public knows…I do want closure on the particulars with expediency…Tom is a great person…Let’s keep him in our prayers/family/the scha family…