NEXT STEPS EYED IN DUAL-TRACK INVESTIGATION …
Lost in last week’s headlines about the felony DUI arrest of Richland County, S.C. councilman Kelvin Washington was a much bigger story about his first arrest … the one on tax charges related to a tax hike “approved” via a rigged 2012 election.
We’re referring, of course, to the ongoing “penny tax scam” – an investigation initiated by S.C. Department of Revenue (SCDOR) director Rick Reames into the proceeds of the $1.2 billion “Richland County Robbery.”
We’ve been on this story from the very beginning … and are continuing to follow twin story lines related to it.
The first storyline? Reames’ ongoing investigation into the proceeds of the tax.
The second storyline? The stalled probe into the rigged election itself.
Obviously we believe the latter story line is more important because it goes to the integrity of the electoral process in South Carolina – but Reames’ probe is significant in its own right. After all, if city and county governments across the Palmetto State are convinced the state is going to require them to spend the proceeds of tax hikes transparently and in accordance with the law – well, that defeats the whole purpose of passing these tax hikes.
Anyway … last week Reames sent a notice to Richland County’s leaders indicating they had thirty days to comply with his agency’s directives regarding any improperly spent “penny tax” proceeds. And county leaders responded to his notice – saying they were going to comply.
In other words, he’s not backing down …
Even more encouraging, beyond holding Richland County’s feet to the fire we’re told Reames’ agency has been eyeing the slate of upcoming tax referendums – watching out for possible repeat performances of the sort of corruption that went down in the Midlands region of the state. In fact we’ve spoken to several GOP lawmakers who want to give his agency more money so that it can go out and investigate more of these scams.
These are positive developments indeed … and Reames’ agency is to be credited for its efforts.
If only the investigation into the rigged 2012 election in Richland County were showing such progress …
23 comments
Kudos to Reames for keeping the spotlight on these cockroaches.
Great avatar, man!!!!!!
Thanks! Had to make it offecial
That you tube video made me chuckle.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YIYJpbAK6MY
HaHa good one. This one came to mind.
you look like monsturd(a compliment)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ld3bmo2J9Q
LOVE that the name of the director of the SCDOR is Reames.
Rick Reames gets a pass from the press and the legislature because he’s protected by special interests.
You mean the righteous hand of God?
No idea about his religious leanings but law firms and big business and crony capitalists are his constituency.
Club for Growth is pushing Reames for a guvernor run. But the club has shot blanks for so long what do you expect?
He has far more power as director of the SCDOR than guvna.
Wasn’t Rick Reames appointed by Nikki Haley?
Yes and Fits can’t seem to give credit to Nikki on that.
I agree, credit is due. Even if it’s 1 out of 100.
`Reames is a lawyer on loan from the law firm Nexen Pruet. Nexen Pruet was in on the penny tax scam. They were to do a ton of work for several of the firms and the county. They got cut out of the deal and just like that, Reames busted them.
People, this is not about good vs evil. This is about pissing off your partners in crime.
If that’s true, that is one of the benefits of “checks a balances”. Power corrupts, but if you can keep different power bases in opposition to each other, corruption is partly held in check.
As long as evil gets its nutsack kicked in I’m okay with Reames getting whatever credit he gets. He gave “good” a year or so head start and it was apparently found wanting.
So once again, good employment numbers, no article on FITS.
Average weekly wages were down $6.11, but considering the chicken little markets of January and early February, it was a pretty good report.
When will Reames turn his attention to the Myrtle Beach penny Ad tax. Doesn’t look like anyone else is going to look into it.
I want to like Reames but the whole Florence-Leatherman thing is a problem for me.