|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Two months ago, our media outlet reported on an escalating federal investigation linked to corruption in the South Carolina Lowcountry. One component of this inquiry? A taxpayer-subsidized campaign to reduce gun violence in North Charleston, South Carolina – a campaign which resulted in $1.3 million being routed to a network of purported charitable organizations.
Was the dispersal of these funds to this network of “unvetted and unmonitored nonprofits” on the level, though?
The program was obviously an unmitigated failure in terms of curbing gun violence, but was it legal?
“Allegations of kickbacks tied to these grants are running rampant through the corridors of power in North Charleston,” we reported back in February.
The following month, we reported that embattled North Charleston councilman Jerome Heyward allegedly had “exposure” to this gun grant scandal. And for his part, Heyward has continued to make headlines as the gun grant scandal and its related anti-corruption inquiries roll on.
***
At the time we first began reporting on this story, North Charleston mayor (and former police chief) Reggie Burgess launched what amounted to an internal investigation of the gun grant program – although little has come of those inquiries.
“Bureaucratic resistance,” a source familiar with the situation said.
Was Burgess ever serious about getting to the bottom of the controversy?
“I think he was playing ‘what do we know, what do they know,'” a source close the city told us, citing the looming federal inquiry.
In recent weeks, sources familiar with the status of the federal investigation say it has continued to escalate – with multiple city officials reportedly being targeted with search warrants seeking their electronic devices. One source with direct knowledge of the ongoing inquiry said “multiple electeds” were targeted by the warrants – although they declined to disclose the names of these officials.
Which agencies sought these warrants? And which agencies executed them? Count on our media outlet to stay on top of these developments…
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the owner and founding editor of FITSNews. Prior to founding his own news outlet, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina, bass guitarist in an alternative rock band and bouncer at a Columbia, S.C. dive bar. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to address proactively? We have an open microphone policy! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
