It will be interesting to see how this case progresses. Although the South Carolina Republican Party Platform says about drug crimes:

SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The South Carolina Republican Party recognizes that controlled substances are out of control.
The Party supports firm enforcement of existing laws against the abuse and distribution of controlled substances and favors
severe penalties for driving under the influence. We particularly support vigorous prosecution of all drug traffickers as adults and
oppose any effort to legalize the use of controlled substances.

. . . this guy's grandfather is the founder of the state's modern Republican party, and is mega-rich, and mega-connected.

If it was you or me, we'd be doing some time in the pokey. This guy is rich, he'll be getting off scot-free.


Nevertheless, this coke-snorter is the one that the South Carolina Republican party touted as being "pro-family," "anti-crime," "pro-morality" and all that BS. It only goes to show you, along with the numerous other Republicans who get caught in moral lapses, that those hypocrites shouldn't be the ones passing judgement on the rest of us.


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http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com:80/...ry/137626.html

Posted on Tue, Jul. 24, 2007
S.C. Treasurer Ravenel resigns
The Associated Press

Ravenel, 44, appeared in court for the first time to face a charge of possession with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine. His attorneys entered a not guilty plea earlier this month.

Prosecutors have said he shared cocaine with his friends and did not sell the drug.

"I'm deeply disappointed in myself,'' Ravenel said outside the courthouse. He apologized to the state and to his family.

He said he already told Gov. Mark Sanford about the resignation, which was effective Tuesday.

In court, Ravenel - who returned to the state Sunday from a treatment program in Arizona - answered routine questions from U.S. Magistrate Joseph McCrorey. The judge said the 44-year-old millionaire developer can attend another treatment program in Sante Fe, N.M.

McCrorey ordered Ravenel to meet with federal probation officers Wednesday. His next court appearance was scheduled for Aug. 21.

Before walking into the courtroom, Ravenel chatted with family members and his attorney, smiling and lau***ng.

Ravenel remains free on a $100,000 unsecured bond.

He was suspended from office by Sanford immediately after his indictment was announced June 19. Three days later, he entered the Sierra Tucson Center, a psychiatric hospital in Catalina, Ariz., that specializes in addiction and behavioral disorder treatment.

If convicted, he would face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Ravenel, considered a rising political star, also has stepped down as state campaign chairman for Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.

The son of Arthur Ravenel, a former congressman and state senator, the younger Ravenel started his political career in 2004 by funding his own campaign for U.S. Senate. He lost in the Republican primary.

Ravenel won the treasurer's office in November, easily beating a longtime Democrat incumbent.

Columbia attorney Ken Wingate was appointed interim state treasurer by Sanford.