SC

“Penny Tax” Probe: Status Update

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…

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.

To hook themselves up.

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 …

***

Related posts

SC

Flooding Temporarily Shuts Down Hunting Season In South Carolina

Erin Parrott
Crime & Courts

Combating Human Trafficking: ‘TAT’ Honors South Carolina Store Manager

Will Folks
SC

John-Paul Miller Versus ‘Jesus?’ A Not-So-Holy War Continues

Callie Lyons

23 comments

Fecal Matters March 4, 2016 at 1:41 pm

Kudos to Reames for keeping the spotlight on these cockroaches.

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia March 4, 2016 at 3:00 pm

Great avatar, man!!!!!!

Reply
Fecal Matters March 4, 2016 at 3:10 pm

Thanks! Had to make it offecial

Reply
erneba March 4, 2016 at 3:39 pm

That you tube video made me chuckle.

Reply
Tazmaniac March 5, 2016 at 8:56 am

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YIYJpbAK6MY

HaHa good one. This one came to mind.

Reply
9" March 4, 2016 at 3:50 pm

you look like monsturd(a compliment)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ld3bmo2J9Q

Reply
mamatiger92 March 4, 2016 at 2:16 pm

LOVE that the name of the director of the SCDOR is Reames.

Reply
Nancywcharlebois2 March 5, 2016 at 2:55 am

“my .friend’s mate Is getting 98$. HOURLY. on the internet.”….

two days ago new Mc.Laren. F1 bought after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, 17k$ Last month .,3-5 h/r of work a days ..with extra open doors & weekly. paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over 87$, p/h.Learn. More right Hereo!o750????? http://GlobalSuperEmploymentVacanciesReportsMedia/GetPaid/98$hourly…. .?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:?:::::o!o750….

Reply
Intheknow March 4, 2016 at 2:43 pm

Rick Reames gets a pass from the press and the legislature because he’s protected by special interests.

Reply
Tell me more March 4, 2016 at 2:54 pm

You mean the righteous hand of God?

Reply
Intheknow March 4, 2016 at 4:26 pm

No idea about his religious leanings but law firms and big business and crony capitalists are his constituency.

Reply
Feelthebern March 4, 2016 at 2:46 pm

Club for Growth is pushing Reames for a guvernor run. But the club has shot blanks for so long what do you expect?

Reply
TroubleBaby March 4, 2016 at 2:49 pm

He has far more power as director of the SCDOR than guvna.

Reply
Bible Thumper March 4, 2016 at 3:30 pm

Wasn’t Rick Reames appointed by Nikki Haley?

Reply
Thomas March 4, 2016 at 4:43 pm

Yes and Fits can’t seem to give credit to Nikki on that.

Reply
Sic Semper Tyrannis March 4, 2016 at 7:11 pm

I agree, credit is due. Even if it’s 1 out of 100.

Reply
Cesar March 4, 2016 at 3:34 pm

`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.

Reply
Bible Thumper March 4, 2016 at 3:38 pm

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.

Reply
So what March 4, 2016 at 4:01 pm

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.

Reply
Rocky Verdad March 4, 2016 at 5:07 pm

So once again, good employment numbers, no article on FITS.

Reply
Bible Thumper March 4, 2016 at 9:18 pm

Average weekly wages were down $6.11, but considering the chicken little markets of January and early February, it was a pretty good report.

Reply
Joe March 4, 2016 at 6:29 pm

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.

Reply
Pee Dee Corruption March 4, 2016 at 9:43 pm

I want to like Reames but the whole Florence-Leatherman thing is a problem for me.

Reply

Leave a Comment