SC treasurer resigns -- cocaine possession -- of course he's a Republican, a Christian, and Giuliani

Goddam but you Republicons know how to pick 'em. Bill Clinton gets a

BJ in the Oval Office but your guys are butt-fucking Senate pages,

dealing coke, fucking whores in DC and NO. And let's not even talk

about Rush, Viagra, and the Dom Rep; then there's Jeff Gannon.

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S.C. treasurer resigns from office following drug indictment

By SEANNA ADCOX

Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. --South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel resigned from

office Tuesday, more than a month after he was indicted on a federal

cocaine charge.

"I'm deeply disappointed in myself for the circumstances surrounding

my presence here today due to the personal mistakes I've made in my

life," Ravenel, 44, said outside a courthouse where he appeared for

the first time to face a charge of possession with intent to

distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine.

His voice shaking, Ravenel apologized to South Carolinians.

"To the people of South Carolina and to my family, I am deeply sorry,"

he said. "Now in the best interest of our state, I believe I must

resign."

He did not answer questions from reporters and left with his sisters

supporting him on each arm.

His attorneys entered a not guilty plea on his behalf earlier this

month.

Prosecutors have said Ravenel shared the cocaine with his friends and

did not sell the drug. He spent 30 days in a rehabilitation program in

Arizona before returning to South Carolina on Sunday.

The millionaire developer's resignation was effective Tuesday.

Ravenel, a Republican, had been considered a rising political star

before his indictment was announced June 19.

Ravenel was suspended by Gov. Mark Sanford immediately after his

indictment was announced. Three days later, he entered the Sierra

Tucson Center, a psychiatric hospital in Catalina, Ariz., that

specializes in addiction and behavioral disorder treatment.

Before walking into the courtroom, Ravenel chatted with family members

and his attorney, smiling and laughing.

He answered routine questions from U.S. Magistrate Joseph McCrorey and

the judge said he can attend another treatment program in Sante Fe,

N.M.

McCrorey ordered Ravenel to meet with federal probation officers

Wednesday. He will leave the next day for more treatment at the Life

Treatment Center, said his attorney Gedney Howe. He declined to

specify what kind of treatment Ravenel is to receive.

Ravenel's next court appearance was scheduled for Aug. 21. Jury

selection is set for Sept. 5.

If convicted, Ravenel would face up to 20 years in prison and a $1

million fine.

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

Prosecutor William Witherspoon said it's not unheard of for defendants

to be allowed to leave the state for treatment programs. He said he

was preparing for trial.

Ravenel also has stepped down as state campaign chairman for

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.

The son of Arthur Ravenel, a former congressman and longtime 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.

The General Assembly must elect a permanent replacement for Ravenel.

The House and Senate, which adjourned for the year in June, adopted a

resolution a day after the indictment that allows lawmakers to come

back to Columbia to elect a replacement if Ravenel resigned or was

convicted.

Columbia attorney Ken Wingate was been appointed interim state

treasurer by Sanford.

http://www.charlotte.com/205/story/209351.html