Last month we informed readers of a pair of taxpayer-funded “economic development wins” that actually turned out to be big losses … specifically 330 promised jobs that never materialized.
Government handouts went down the drain …
Today there’s news of another botched crony capitalist deal … this one involving a federal investigation into the embezzlement of public funds. We’re referring to the Softee Supreme Diaper Corporation, which pledged to create 262 jobs in Marion County, S.C. five years ago.
Has it done so? Nope.
According to reporter Tonya Brown of WPDE TV 15 (ABC – Florence-Myrtle Beach, S.C.), Softee Supreme employs “between 25 to 90 people, depending on the number of shifts they’re running at the plant.”
In other words, the best-case scenario for this facility is that it employs one-third the number of workers it promised.
Making matters worse, Softee’s executives appear to have bilked taxpayers out of additional money given their association with the scammers at the heart of this shady S.C. State land deal.
“The diaper plant project raises questions about whether Commerce and other state and local government agencies do serious background checks on companies that receive incentives,” reporter Rick Brundrett of The Nerve noted.
Indeed.
A big part of the problem? South Carolina’s total lack of transparency when it comes to how these incentives are doled out.
Oh well … we’re sure S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley and state lawmakers will get right on that (not).
3 comments
No one knows what happens at commerce. It is a blank check with our name at the bottom of it.
Shooting Fish in a barrel is nothing compared to how easy it is for th rich and conmected to fleece us.
I’m sure the various media outlets around the state will hop right on this story.
We just let them do it to us time and again. We’re just too easy and do not lack politicians and entrepreneurs who can’t wait to take advantage of us.