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This news outlet has routinely tracked activity within the federal court system in South Carolina for trends and updates. In our latest check, significant activity was noted within the new criminal court filings.
How significant?
In the last seven days alone, there have been 94 new sealed filings.
This sudden surge in new sealed filings is significant – although as you can see from the chart below it is not occurring in a vacuum. There has been a significant ramp-up in activity over the past few weeks compared to the same time periods a year ago.
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Indictments and search warrants are often filed under seal in the federal court system to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations. For example, if an inquiry is reliant on cooperating witnesses – or the element of surprise – sealing indictments protects the witness from harm and from potential tampering while also giving investigators the ability to obtain valuable information without the targets of the probe becoming wise to their lines of inquiry.
But… ninety-four filings under seal? Is there something bigger going on?
As our audience is well aware, several large-scale federal investigations are ongoing throughout the Palmetto State. Among them is a federal investigation into allegations of widespread corruption emanating from North Charleston, S.C. This inquiry was recently delayed after reports that embattled North Charleston councilman Jerome Heyward entered into some sort of cooperative agreement with federal prosecutors and is providing them with “ample information and evidence” related to their inquiries.
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In addition to the North Charleston probe, there is an ongoing federal investigation into alleged fraud related to Covid-19 tax credits. This inquiry into “incentive consulting” reportedly involves a Florence, S.C.-based firm known as Synergi Partners – which was involved in a number of federal lawsuits regarding its alleged mishandling of tax incentives contained in the March 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or “CARES Act.”
Specifically, the company is alleged to have fraudulently processed applications for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) payments – which were intended to encourage small businesses to keep employees on staff rather than furloughing them or laying them off.
Synergi isn’t the only company facing potential criminal exposure related to alleged ERTC scams.
“This is a coordinated, cross-country investigation,” the source added. “A lot of individuals and institutions are under scrutiny for alleged ERTC fraud.”
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RELATED | ‘SYNERGI PARTNERS’ PART OF SWEEPING FEDERAL INVESTIGATION
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Federal authorities are also conducting an ongoing investigation into allegations of interstate domestic violence tied to embattled South Carolina pastor John Paul Miller – whose late wife, Mica Francis Miller, died under suspicious circumstances last spring. John-Paul Miller’s home was the focus of a November 1, 2024 search related to that investigation.
Feds also recently raided the home of a former Horry County elected official who served for years as a member of the state’s parole board.
The hottest rumor related to the “surge?” That it is somehow tied to an ongoing investigation based on information uncovered from the cell phone of David Aylor, a prominent Charleston attorney who died two years ago of a fentanyl overdose.
The surge in sealed filings comes amid a period of transition for the top prosecutor’s office in the Palmetto State – as former U.S. attorney Adair Ford Boroughs announced last week.
Count on FITSNews to continue monitoring this system closely for additional information – and to keep our audience apprised as to the proliferation of filings.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Jenn Wood is FITSNews’ incomparable research director. She’s also the producer of the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts and leading expert on all things Murdaugh/ South Carolina justice. A former private investigator with a criminal justice degree, evildoers beware, Jenn Wood is far from your average journalist! A deep dive researcher with a passion for truth and a heart for victims, this mom of two is pretty much a superhero in FITSNews country. Did we mention she’s married to a rocket scientist? (Lucky guy!) Got a story idea or a tip for Jenn? Email her at jenn@fitsnews.com.
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4 comments
Isn’t the forfeiture extension on Mr May up next week? Weren’t indictments expected?
Yes, and when it all comes out the David Aylor death, will be “bigger than the Murdaugh Murders, if they truly willing to expose a host of powerful interest in the Palmetto State.
Reminds me of the 9th Circuit public defenders office and their cover ups back in the late 90s.
Is there a cover-up with the David Aylor case? They gave a defendant that was indicted along with 12 others in February 2022 on drug charges which Aylor represented and was accused of leaving discovery materials with him, and he was released with time served 2024. There is lingering questions to what’s actually occurring or corruption within this office.