SC

Software Purchaser Indicted For Stealing From SC Taxpayers

BUSINESSWOMAN FACES EMBEZZLEMENT, BREACH OF TRUST CHARGES By FITSNEWS  ||  A woman hired by South Carolina’s state government to purchase software systems – and appointed to Gov. Nikki Haley’s regulatory review panel – faces multiple felony charges (and decades in prison) after being indicted on embezzlement and breach of trust charges. Terris…

BUSINESSWOMAN FACES EMBEZZLEMENT, BREACH OF TRUST CHARGES

By FITSNEWS  ||  A woman hired by South Carolina’s state government to purchase software systems – and appointed to Gov. Nikki Haley’s regulatory review panel – faces multiple felony charges (and decades in prison) after being indicted on embezzlement and breach of trust charges.

Terris Shirelle Riley of Blythewood, S.C. was indicted by a Richland County grand jury on Friday on charges that she embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from state taxpayers.

Riley had a contract with the S.C. Budget and Control Board (SCBCB) which entitled her to receive a 2.5 percent commission on items purchased on behalf of the state.  According to the S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson‘s office, more than $20 million passed through her company over the course of a two-year period ending last November – when she was arrested by agents of the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

On Friday, Riley was charged with one count of embezzlement over $10,000 and four counts of breach of trust over $10,000.  Each of those charges is a felony.  And each charge carries with it a jail sentence of up to ten years, if Riley is convicted.

In addition to the possibility of a lengthy stint in jail, fines can be leveled against Riley at the discretion of the court.

TERRIS RILEY
TERRIS RILEY

“Riley, acting in her capacity as president of New Venue Technologies … was entrusted with funds to be paid to various vendors who had supplied computer software to governmental entities within the state of South Carolina,” a statement from the Attorney General’s office.  “She converted those funds to her own use.”

Riley’s business – which is accused of taking more than $1 million to which it was not entitled (cash she allegedly used to buy a house) – was praised last October as one of South Carolina’s up-and-coming businesses.

In fact Riley’s firm touted its contract with the state in an application submitted – and accepted – by the big government cheerleaders at SCBizNews.com.

“The main driver for this year’s revenue growth is our IT contract with the state of South Carolina,” the company stated in its application. “We developed a custom software acquisition and license management system that was implemented throughout the state.”

Riley sounded a defiant tone upon being arrested last fall.

“When the dust settles, I’ll be standing,” she wrote on her Twitter page.  “But, first I will endure that which seems hard, but I won’t bow the knee. I was born a champion.”

The craziest thing about this story?

Riley’s firm was making $700,000 legitimately through its association with the state.

That’s a ton of money for a small business … but apparently it wasn’t enough.

TERRIS RILEY INDICTMENTS (.pdf)

***

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43 comments

Porsche Cayenne Please November 14, 2014 at 1:13 pm

She can just call Jonathan P. and ask him for the roadmap on how to use his influence to rip off the taxpayers of SC, get convicted and remain free. Perhaps one has to spread a little of the ill-gotten gains in the right place. Hey FITS, you were on the story from the get go – can you not round out your coverage with a “where are they now” ending?

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The Colonel November 14, 2014 at 1:20 pm

“….Riley’s business …was praised last October as one of South Carolina’s up-and-coming minority-owned businesses….

Just out of curiosity, by who?

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nitrat November 14, 2014 at 2:43 pm

This is in the next one sentence paragraph. Don’t know if it’s what he means:

“…by the big government cheerleaders at SCBizNews.com.”

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Seriously? November 14, 2014 at 1:22 pm

Seriously Will? You reported on the allegation that an unknown Democratic operative was allegedly taking down Finlay signs, when are you going to report on the guy ARRESTED in Richland County for removing a Democrat’s signs?

http://www.wistv.com/story/27326032/investigators-73-year-old-stolen-campaign-signs

Does this story not rate coverage from you because he was arrested for removing the signs of a Democrat?

More reading

http://www.wltx.com/story/news/2014/10/29/candidate-says-his-campaign-signs-were-taken/18134043/

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The Colonel November 14, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Election’s over, Will doesn’t care, mainstream media reported it – give it a rest. It’s Will’s site – he can be a hypocrite if he wants.

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FastEddy23 November 14, 2014 at 1:37 pm

Yes. He can also report on any corruption he wants to … and hopefully he will.

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whatever November 14, 2014 at 1:40 pm

So true, but I for one enjoyed the site when he called everyone out.

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guest November 14, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Man, I thought I was nuts.
Go away dude.

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Shut Up November 14, 2014 at 1:54 pm

Cry baby … waaaaahhhhhhh .. .waaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!

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Ihatecampaignsigns November 14, 2014 at 8:09 pm

Ronald Coley, don’t be such a sore loser. Your signs are in a dumpster along with a lot of other candidate’s signs after the County (and others ;) ) did a sign sweep before the election. If you want to run again, you should go salvage them before they’re dump for good. And next time keep them out of the right of ways or plan on spending more on signs.

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CorruptionInColumbia November 14, 2014 at 1:25 pm

If her attorneys can get her before pro-criminal judge Casey Manning, she might get by with a very short sentence, a very small “repayment”, and still make out like a bandit. I recall some guy who was working for USC (I believe) a year or few ago who ripped them off for tens (maybe hundreds) of thousands of dollars and got a pittance of a fine and three months in jail, courtesy of Judge Manning. The guy made a pretty good profit for his efforts.
Who says crime doesn’t pay?

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Wheres The Beef November 14, 2014 at 1:56 pm

Manning will want a few dozen blow jobs, too.

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Dave Chappelle I'm Rick James November 14, 2014 at 2:02 pm

Sweatpants and cigarettes Friday!

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Who's the criminal? November 15, 2014 at 12:34 am

“Who says crime doesn’t pay?”

In fairness to Riley, she didn’t steal from the taxpayers, she stole from the gov’t.

It’s hard to have sympathy for a thief that gets its money stolen by another thief.

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lakemurrayfan November 15, 2014 at 9:44 pm

You must be a Democrat.

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Who's the criminal? November 15, 2014 at 11:05 pm

You must be an idiot.

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lakemurrayfan November 16, 2014 at 6:54 pm

So, Mr. Bright. Tell me the difference in stealing from the taxpayers and stealing from the government.

Who's the criminal? November 17, 2014 at 9:07 am

You can’t steal from the taxpayer genius, they’ve already been stolen from.

lakemurrayfan November 17, 2014 at 12:10 pm

I am a tax payer. So… who already stole from me?

jimlewisowb November 14, 2014 at 1:43 pm

Recent high profile indictments:
2 white males
1 black male
1 black female
Another minority female would add balance

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Buz Martin November 14, 2014 at 2:02 pm

I’ve always said that when they start really digging on corruption is SC and it’s time to issue the orange jumpsuits, if they’re doing it right it will by no means be all white male Republicans getting them. Oh hell no! There are all kinds of pigs at the public troth in this state. Yeah, I know. Preaching to the choir again …

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nitrat November 14, 2014 at 2:44 pm

She was arrested one year ago and just indicted?

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you know me November 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm

According to SC Sec. of State site, there is New Venue Technologies, Inc., New Venue Tecnologies II, LLC, and Terris Riley, LLC. Wonder how much Jacque Riley knows?

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ivory November 14, 2014 at 4:38 pm

maybe she is innocent- maybe the state actually breached the contract first and now scrambling to cover their mistakes and using this as a tactic to ensure they don’t go down- there is so much corruption at the state level that it is absolutely mind blowing- just maybe this lady was doing everything that she thought she was supposed to be doing-

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kaz November 18, 2014 at 4:15 pm

Trust me…. she is not innocent. The state is not the only organization she’s stolen from.

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euwe max November 14, 2014 at 5:10 pm

Posted by Terris Riley on Monday, 16 January 2012 in Posts
Joshua or Judas–Which one are you?(Final 2011)

At the end of 2010 (around December 3rd) the Lord asked me a very important question. He said, “Do you believe I can make you a millionaire before 12/31/2010?”

I said, “Yes Lord, I believe you CAN, but I cannot believe you can make it happen for me that fast. I’m afraid to believe that. I cannot see how, so I cannot believe.” He was quiet. Then I said, “But I believe you will give me the ability to perfect the gifts & talents you’ve given me to produce $5M before the end of 2011.” You see, I believe God respects honesty….especially since He already KNOWS the truth.

He said, “Ok.” Then He said, “Terris, your days of financial worries are gone forever. You will never ever have to worry about money another day in your life. I have taken care of you, your family, and your seed for generations to come. I have chosen you to change nations. You are mine. I have called you for My purpose, not your own. I have set you in high places. Kings will rise to the brightness of your shining. Here is what I require of you, Terris: Love Me & Love My people. If you turn from this, it will not be well with you. In 2010, I showed you WHO you are. In 2011 I will show WHY you are!”

I am pleased to report at the end of 2011, after many trials, His word has become flesh and now dwells with me.

http://www.terrisriley.com/blog/entry/joshua-or-judas-which-one-are-you-final-2011-post.html

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CorruptionInColumbia November 14, 2014 at 5:13 pm

Damn! He lied to her.

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euwe max November 14, 2014 at 5:39 pm

She should have requested a photo ID.

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Crony Business FTW! November 14, 2014 at 7:59 pm

That’s some shit right there. Thanks for posting it.

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kaz November 18, 2014 at 4:12 pm

That sounds like the phony Terris I know. Totally mentally ill and spouts religion every chance she gets to make her appear ethical and good. You should see the nutso email she sent me when I told her I no longer wanted to be associated with her or any of her businesses.

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mypoliticalweb November 19, 2014 at 3:32 pm

I thought I recognized you “Kaz”…I know you don’t remember me, but I’m about to post a few emails between you and the men you’ve dated and maybe some of the gambling debts you still can’t seem to pay. If I remember correctly, Riley gave you a loan several times before you got fired from BCBSSC and helped you find your new job. You’re just a little disgruntled because you didn’t get in on the hot action. She must have left you out of the kickbacks too. I don’t care for Riley very much, but I respect her business savvy. She’s a know-it-all bitch but she’s not a thief. I know you better than she does. Too bad she never got to meet the real you, “Kaz”. You’re a trashy fat slut full of excuses–always blaming other people for YOUR problems. That’s why you’ll NEVER come back to BlueCross–I’ll make sure of it. You are BAD NEWS. You’re a LIAR. All you’ll ever be is a PRETENDING LIAR!!! When people are honest with you, you attack them–the same thing you did to me, Riley and others. We know your game and your name. So keep running your mouth and I’ll make sure people know exactly who you are and where to find you. Does BCBS know that you tried to get them Federally INVESTIGATED???? You’re a loser, “Kaz”. Deal with it. Kathleen Zaccaria. Did you tell Mike at BCBS that you stole personal health records for testing on your on “product”? They should sue you for that. Go back under your rock and hide. You’re irrelevant–let’s keep it that way. I’ll be sure to show Terris your post.
p.s. this is why you don’t leave a trail of enemies everywhere you go, idiot!

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Sam December 6, 2014 at 11:43 am

Please post the email…

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 15, 2014 at 5:16 pm

When the dust settles, I’ll be standing,” she wrote on her Twitter page. “But, first I will endure that which seems hard, but I won’t bow the knee. I was born a champion.”

Sounds like an Elton John/Gloria Gaynor/Tom Petty/Queen mashup.

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euwe max November 15, 2014 at 7:50 pm

I thought the part about her “seed” was interesting.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 16, 2014 at 8:51 am

I thought the part about her “seed” was interesting.

TBG, for one, welcomes our new, divinely ordained, double minority, grifter overlords.

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lakemurrayfan November 15, 2014 at 9:45 pm

Newsflash: It was over 2.5 million.

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Karen November 16, 2014 at 8:14 am

Oh yea. My sources tell me there is a lot more to this story. Also that certain important people in state gov are trying to keep this out of sight. Evidently, there was a lot of “turning the other eye” by those folks.

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kaz November 18, 2014 at 4:02 pm

Yes, it was a state employee that promised Riley the contract before final submittals by other potential providers were due. Riley probably promised her a kickback.

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Jackson Ling January 29, 2015 at 4:36 pm

It was pretty evident during the pre-bid meeting that something was going on. It was the most absurd process and many of the bidders questioned the purpose of the SAM in the first place.

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Manray November 16, 2014 at 11:00 am

It seems SC government has no vetting process for many of these state appointments. Maybe it’s time to start one?

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kaz November 18, 2014 at 4:05 pm

They do, but the ones in charge are equally criminal.

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kaz November 18, 2014 at 3:47 pm

Well, it’s taken them a year to formally indict her, but I’m sure that was after ensuring they had proof (for all those who had doubt – wake up). Fortunately I saw through it all and became uninvolved in her business prior to her obtaining her contract with the State after she told me how she was obtaining it illegally. Hoping this will keep her from defrauding others and pretending to be someone other than who she really is. She belongs in jail and in addition to what she is charged with, she cheated other ethical businesses from being able to fairly obtain the SAM contract with the SC government. The state should also look at their own employees carefully and the woman who awarded the contract to Nu Venue.

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kaz November 18, 2014 at 3:59 pm

Embezzlement of $2 million dollars is not chunk change.

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