YO MAYOR, IT’S YO BIRTHDAY …
Columbia, S.C. “mayorhood” Steve Benjamin partied like a rock star at an Orlando, Florida strip club in December 2010 with disgraced former S.C. State board chairman Jonathan Pinson – his partner in a failed government-funded housing boondoggle.
The two even brought a pair of strippers back to their hotel with former S.C. State police chief Michael Bartley …
That’s according to Charles Smith – a former S.C. State vice president who testified under oath in federal court this week.
Pinson has already been indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in a kickback scheme at S.C. State University – the chronically mismanaged, historically black university located in Orangeburg, S.C.
In fact the trip to Orlando was paid for by developer Richard Zahn, who along with Pinson and four others has been indicted for his role in the S.C. State kickback scheme.
“Smith said the group was picked up in a limousine and taken to a hotel,” The (Orangeburg, S.C.) Times and Democrat reported. “Later, they were taken to a nice restaurant and, following that, to a strip club. At the club, Bartley gave Smith $5 to give to a dancer, Smith said. He later learned the money came from Zahn. The group later took two women back to the hotel. Smith said he did not stay in the room with Pinson, Benjamin, Bartley and the women.”
Whoa …
Benjamin – who is married to S.C. circuit court judge DeAndrea Benjamin – was elected mayor of Columbia in April 2010.
On the morning after his election, an SUV driven by Benjamin slammed into another vehicle causing extensive damage to the car and permanent damage to its driver, Deborah Rubens.
Weeks later FITS reported that multiple witnesses observed Benjamin consuming alcohol beverages well into the evening just hours before the car crash. Astoundingly, the S.C. Highway Patrol made the snap judgment that Benjamin was sober – without giving him a field sobriety test, a breathalyzer exam or taking blood from him.
The result of a lengthy investigation into the crash? Nothing. Benjamin was cited for driving with his headlights off … that’s it.
Last April, separate allegations about Benjamin partying with strippers surfaced in the wake of a scandal surrounding Randy Scott – the man he hand-picked to be the city’s chief of police.
Scott got the job after the city’s former police chief – Tandy Carter – was fired for failing to play ball with the investigation of Benjamin’s car crash. Specifically, Carter said that the investigation into Benjamin’s crash was being run by City Hall, adding that he refused to be a “puppet police chief.”
Anyway … it remains to be seen whether Benjamin will be linked more closely to the illegal activity surrounding S.C. State. A lawyer for Pinson has said that Benjamin was the original target of the federal probe, but the “Mayorhood” has dismissed those reports.
118 comments
“….At the club, Bartley gave Smith $5 to give to a dancer…”
5 bucks, for real he said 5 bucks – cheap ass cockroaches
dancers must have been dancing around a 50 gallon barrel of burning rags in an alley behind a bait and tackle shop
Jim, that’s pretty good….
Wow, I haven’t been around strippers since my days in the I Bar at Fort Benning. Back them you could hold a single up behind the back of a fresh faced second lieutenant just commissioned from East Bumble Iowa University and watch his ears turn red as one of the ugliest strippers to ever “take it all off” rubbed her heavily forested pudendum in his face. Has the price of a stripper tip really gone up that much?
Son: What’s that Daddy (pointing at Mummy getting out of the shower).
Daddy: That’s where mummy was hit by an axe, that’s her axe wound.
Son: Wow, bloody good shot, got her right in the pudendum
Nope – pudendum just doesn’t cut it – think I will stick with cunt
Gotta give him props for Ivy League twat vocabulary though.
Gentleman, having devoted myself to a life time of study of the female of the species, I have learned to use the anatomically proper terms for the pieces and part. The pudendum (or pudenda in plural form) is the external organs of the genitalia. I actually witnessed penetration of the pudendal cleft of one of these
hookers strippersexotic dancers by a young man who was particularly well nasally endowed. I’m not sure who was more surprised but I seem to recall that he later married her…“I’m not sure who was more surprised but I seem to recall that he later married her”
Was it a snatch made in heaven?
+10!
You’re too kind, however +69 may have been more appropriate.
The pudendum (or pudenda in plural form) is the external organs of the genitalia. I actually witnessed penetration of the pudendal cleft of one of these hookers strippers exotic dancers by a young man who was particularly well nasally endowed.
Pinocchio?
“Tell me the truth!….Tell me a lie!!… Tell me the truth!!….Tell me a lie……”
‘traitor’ tommy Ervin needs the verified signatures of 10,000 legal South Carolina voters to get on the ballot. He delivered more than 20,000 to the state Election Commission office.
Why would he turn in 20,000 ‘verified signatures’ if he only needs 10,000 ‘verified signatures’ to get on the ballot? I can understand turning in an extra 100-500 signatures HOWEVER TEN THOUSAND!!!!????
Red flag, in my opinion. Does he and his campaign staff have knowledge that 50% of his signatures turned in on that petition to get on the ballot MAY be fraudulent? Why else would they submit 10,000 PLUS additional signatures that MAY be challenged and possibly subject the Ervin campaign to allegations of voter fraud?
Makes NO sense from this political observer. I am not alleging that ‘traitor’ tommy Ervin , his campaign or his volunteers have done anything illegal or broken any laws. Everyone one of those signatures MAY have been verified.
Just seems weird. Kinda like Lerner’s emails disappearing. Shit happens.
Grand Tango, now that you have a website, can’t you just post over there?
I am NOT the brilliant ‘Grand Tango’. Not Blessed with the intellect , wit and humor of the ‘Grand Tango’.
lmao! Now I know you’re Grand Tango for sure.
Go to The State newspaper in the comments, I’m also Grand Tango.
“We are all Keynesians Grand Tango, now.”
Is it the feminine side or the “masculine” side of you that is always on here talking about having sex with men?
Workers were probably paid to collect signatures. There is an incentive to falsify or not verify registration. The signatures are have to be on sheets for each county. If on the wrong county sheet, then it is rejected. They check every 10th or 50th (I can’t remember) signature and statistically calculate how many are good. You have to submit more than 10, 000 for the calculation to be over 10,000. John Conyers almost got taken off the ballot because of rejected signatures.
Thanks Bible Thumper. I disagree with you however that there is NO penalty for submitting ‘invalid’ petition signatures in the state of South Carolina to get on a ballot.
We shall see. I have to believe someone is going to challenge Ervin’s petition to be on the ballot and everyone of those signatures are going to have to be verified. ALL 20,000 plus since they were submitted in ‘good faith’. :-)
Why would an ‘invalid petition signature’ not be considered ‘forged’?
If a person signs his or her own signature but is not registered or signs more than once, that is not a crime. Also if you have 10,000 valid signatures, it does not matter how many invalid signatures there are. I have posted the statute before.
If T-Rav is running for senate, he has less than 30 days to submit 10,000 signatures
What’s scary is that he could totally generate that from a couple of personal appearances on the coattails of his Real Douchbags of the Low Country show.
See post above with link. T-Rav is leaving Southern Charm.
WTH!
Did you and jimlewisowb go to Disneyland?
No. South Carolina.
Anyone with a brain would understand why. It is a sign of strong support to have as many signatures as possible.
Frankly, they made a small error in my opinion. They turned in the petitions very early. I would have gotten as many as possible, until the last minute. I never signed it, but certainly would have, if I had been given the opportunity.
LMAO! How many times did you sign it? :-)
I smell trouble with that petition. Just sayin.
Reading isn’t your strong suit. I said I never signed it.
I had every intention of signing it, but was never asked.
They found it easy to collet the names.
Why would he turn in 20,000 ‘verified signatures’ if he only needs 10,000 ‘verified signatures’ to get on the ballot?
If Nikki’s going to pay people to post here, she should look for people who aren’t morons.
I am not paid by anyone to contribute to this forum and have never met Ms.Haley.
I certainly don’t need need a lecture from a Christ hating filthy,lying, humerlous,, faggot that has demonstrated he has no life excect posting copy and pasted opinions from other socialists 24/7 on FITS.
What are you trying to cover up? I seem to have struck a nerve.
good job Sandi, someone suggests you may be a moron and you waste no time proving they are right, and a narrow-minded bigot to boot, good for you! maybe it would be a good idea to actually read the New Testament, especially the parts written in red, before you spout off vile, hateful words to strangers
AMEN!!!
There’s so much wrong with your response that I don’t even know where to start. Not paid? What do you contribute? I “lectured” you with a single sentence? “humerlous?” “excect?”
Way to come off with such a well-balanced, intelligent retort though. Have a great day. :)
I don’t put up with the shit from you nasty ass liberals.You can dish it out with your filthy,profane and attacking comments however you become thinskinned when called on your rants.
Fuck you!
Smirks is a well reasoned and intelligent person. Go and read some of his posts. I agree with Smirks some of the time and disagree some of the time. He brings a level head to the debate here. You are nothing more than a name caller and a paid shill for Haley and her ilk. I suspect you will disappear around election time or reappear ala Big T just to take up space. You and Dick Cheney are just wasting good oxygen.
Smirks has attacked me several times on this forum.This was just the latest.I don’t care.I just love exposing the FACT that you liberal socialists can’t debate issues and are all about personal attacks.
Okay with me.I just suggest you,Smirks and the liberal/socialists that infest this forum grow a thicker skin cause or leave if you can’t take the heat!!
p.s. I have read your babble and you are as dumb as Smirks! :-)
Isn’t a personal attack when you call someone a traitor, etc.? Can’t have it both ways bitch.
I am not bitching nor do I want it both ways like Smirks. :-)
Just sayin if you dish the hate, be ready to debate and quit WHINING!!!!!
In regards to personal attacks and ‘traitor’ (in my opinion he is trying to elect Democrat Sheheen) have you read the vicious attacks on Haley and her family on here? Sexist,racist,pornographic etc…. .
Quit being so thin skinned and go blog on the Sun News in Myrtle Beach.
Which parts about Haley are not true? Enlighten me please.
Smells like Nikki to me !
Exactly. I don’t always agree with Smirks (it would be boring if we always agreed), but he is level-headed and rational, and he brings a lot to the conversation in these comments.
Sandi, on the other hand . . .
Wow. Seriously? You are almost starting to make Big T sound reasonable by comparison.
Whatever, you are a moron, your posts say so, get over your nerve act by the way, moron.
Now there’s some high quality visuals, right there…
Not that is some funny stuff right there. Aaaahhh, you actually made me cry. I was crying tears of sorrow that our mayor is a dirtbag skank-ho chasing fatass, but you made it happy.
“a 50 gallon barrel of burning rags in an alley behind a bait and tackle shop”
———–
Jim, I seem to remember you used these exact words in one of your posts some months ago —- you must have some familiarity with this location which, I ask, is it nearby?
Used to be in beautiful downtown Ballentine
The owner lost all his help and he was having to do everything by hand until he got wrist lock which forced him to shut the place down
It’s tough being a handiman in this economy.
TBG don’ stop til he know she’s sassyfied.
Great song!
“Stroke it Clarence Carter, but don’t stroke so fast
If my stuff ain’t tight enough, you can stick it up my…”
I be Strokin’! lol….
State said a “pack of $5 bills”.
Show me a guy who wears a top hat and I will show you a crook.
What the hell man? Don’t group us all together.
What’s your problem? I’m gonna sue you.
Where do you turn when you can not trust any government in the country?
Ghostbusters?
No, no. You go to their sister company, Douchebusters, run by Mel Brooks.
I wonder what “Judge” Benjamin had to say to T-Bone when he got home, this evening.
“Not tonight, honey, I’m going to give YOU a headache!”
Don’t we all wish?
If only they lived in the same house. The judge lives in unincorporated Richland County. Since the Mayor has to live in the city, he obviously doesn’t live with her.
Gee, thanks for the buzz kill, man.
:-D
Where does she live? I was under the impression that they both lived in Woodcreek Farms, which is in the city limits of Columbia, but is located way out in NE Richland County.
20+/- years ago her daddy was married to her mama and was head of the SC Commission for the Blind. He got arrested for beating up his girlfriend/ex-TV anchor, who he had hired as his spokeswoman, in the agency parking lot at the corner of Confederate Ave. and Bull St. He then shook down the stupid ass agency board for some severance – kind of like Trikki at LMC, I guess – and then went on to defend a SC State president who was run off a few years ago.
So, my point is that ‘Judge’ Benjamin grew up in this kind of trashy mess and it might not even phase her. Might seem as normal as the day is long. It ain’t.
WOW Nitrat! Thank You for the filler! I wasn’t aware of this.
Interesting stuff!
Will, I’m really proud of you. You didn’t tell us that the strippers were white.
… and I was horny and you bought me poontang…
““We have here only five loaves of bread and two poons,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two poons and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks. Then he gave the poons to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men.”
Amen.
So, this is the reason we have those useful items called “SPOONS”..?
Right out of Ted Vick’s “How to be a Good Samaritan” guidebook, eh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGQ-ISsDm8M
Were they white? Or do you know something about the mayors proclivities where women are concerned?
The TandD doesn’t say.
Fits keeps me informed.
——-“They both like the same white girls, too” one source at the State House tells FITS.—–
Read more at https://www.fitsnews.com/2014/05/15/another-mayorhood-crony-goes/#Hdz6fdgF3rCOuqrE.99
Come see me DeAndrea baby, we’ll sport fuck and help you get even with that POS husband.
…At the club, Bartley gave Smith $5 to give to a dancer, Smith said. He later learned the money came from Zahn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av_vcjD2h2g&feature=kp
For a great read, get “Strip Tease” (Carl Hiaassen) — the film omitted all of the good stuff.
His books are hilarious. Especially the one where the former governor lives in the everglades and survives on roadkill. His last book was pretty good too. It’s been awhile but I read pretty much every one except the kiddie books.
I have a set of audio cassettes read by Ed Asner who did a fantastic job with the different voices and dialects.
1] – Strip Tease
2] – Stormy Weather
3] – Tourist Season
Read his book that is a collection of Miami Herald columns. “Kick Ass” I think it is. Columbia would go apoplectic if The State ever had a columnist who wrote the plain ugly truth with the punch of Hiasson (sp.?). The poofy politicians here would melt with rage.
Thanks for the tip. Will do.
Damn. Lexington and Columbia are struggling these days.
With a little luck, the struggle will get them both free of the clutches of a lot of crooked politicians.
Columbia sucks.
Always has, always will.
Sure are a lots of swearing and swearing ins down in the midlands this week.
The support from his constituents over on Facebook is disgusting, predictable but disgusting nonetheless.
T-Rav is leaving “Southern Charm”
http://cabletv.com/blog/thomas-ravenel-announces-hes-leaving-southern-charm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thomas-ravenel-announces-hes-leaving-southern-charm
Nice avatar change, by the way.
Benjamin is a democrat. If he has severe failings, does it matter?
As the questions, the liberal media will not ask: Good Read: http://scdigest.blogspot.com/
They could be characterized as “Liberal-Tarians.”
Holy shit, this is GrandTango’s site isn’t it? If so, kudos on the lack of @%@*& @$(**&%*&% @$*&@!#% @(*#”&%@#%&.
Maybe there are others with the same level of political insight. Ever think about that Smirks?
Maybe there are others with the same level of political insight.
God help us all.
No, I read a few posts. It’s definitely your writing, minus the frothy rage. (Also, lol @ no comments.)
There are a few comments, and I would have commented too, if I could do so as a guest, like you can here.
Good on him for taking the time and energy do his own blog…more than most do , other than bitch and moan in the comments section here.
I agree.Smirks is just mad that mommy won’t let him have a computer and he has to walk to the library to spew his shit.
If you notice he begins commenting when the library opens and quits when they throw him out for trying to play “glass bottom boat” with the school children.
As my blog grows, I will include helpful and cultural articles such as, “How To Suck A Cock The Right Way”, as well as “Why Anal Sex With A Well Hung Man Need Not Be Painful”. I will give you a hint from the latter article. It has to do with letting many men with smaller penises take you from behind first. This wears the sphincter out and loosens it up so that in time you can take Ron Jeremy and not flinch.
So, ya’ like to do it with dead guys, do ya’..?
Benjamin’s probably got the same kind of relationship with his wife that Frank Underwood has with his wife, or Nikki Haley has with her husband.
Why do you care? Most of your friends are either cradle robbing buffoons or cheating lying adulterers. Does it matter because he is black?
It matters because he’s the mayor of Columbia and should hold himself to a higher standard, or at least be more discrete. Would you want this slimy guy reading books to your kids down at the public library on Assembly? Color has absolutely zero to do with integrity, of which Benjamin seems to have very little.
MDR – yeah, your right, federal indictments flying everywhere, the federal prosecutor referencing Benjamin directly in open court, Benjamin being at strip clubs in another state with people who were either in on the kickbacks and/or recently indicted – while likely commiting adultery, as the mayor of one of our state’s largest cities. This totally does not derserve a mention BUT because he’s black. Bet all that stuff with Gov Blagoivich up in Ill. was TOTALLY because of the Russian sounding last name. Totally.
I did not ask why it matters. I asked why Fits cared based on the company he keeps. His scumbag friends get a pass.
He probably mentioned because he thinks, like many who have knowledge of the type of activity Benjamin engages in while he’s not cheesing for the local media, that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Does it matter because he is black?
The only thing Benjamin being black does is make Willie put more stupid, unnecessary race-baiting crap in his postings. I suspect his buddies get a pass because they share similar ideology, so he’s willing to overlook their transgressions as much as possible.
T-Ravesty
http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/06/03/3143750/t-ravesty-thomas-ravenel-says.html
That picture of T-Rav looks like he’s got some kind of genetic disease that causes overgrowth of the facial bones. Kind of creepy.
It comes from too much Botox.
Does crystal meth cause that?
Does crystal meth cause that?
Dammit “T”.
Here is something you could expound on with some personal knowledge.
And you just toss out a rhetorical question…
Pathetic.
T-Ravesty
http://www.islandpacket.com/20…
*********************************************************************************
TBG got somewhat distracted by Erin Shaw’s picture and was unable to find the article.
You mind telling TBG what it was about?
T-Ravesty: Thomas Ravenel says he won’t do season 2 of ‘Southern Charm’
At the end of the first season of “Southern Charm,” T-Rav told Andy Cohen on “What What Happens Live” that he would campaign as an independent if Republican Lindsey Graham were to win this month’s GOP primary
any stripper who will accept a 5 dollar bill ain’t coming up to my room.
Wonder if little Stevie wore his cowboy boots during the encounter? Yippe ya ki ya motherf#cker.
I believe the article in The State stated he was given a small stack of $5.00 bills and was directed to give them to the performers. The stack came from the developer/host of the dinner and partying.
Seems that black trash loves him some white trash.
Don’t worry, Steve. I still run the Democratic Party, SLED, the Richland County Solicitor’s office, the Richland County Elections Committee and the South Carolina Judiciary. If we can get Bill Nettles to do as I tell him – as he has done in the past – then you will be fine. If not, you can retire like my servant, Bob, I mean, friend Bob, and I will get you a job. I do recommend you send D’andrea flowers this week, friend.
The sad part about this post is that She really believes this to be true.
This picture of the Mayor should stir memories of those of us of a certain age of a certain character on the Amos and Andy Show: Andrew H. Brown.
actually it was a small stack of $ 5s.