WHEREAS, the Grand Jury of Sumter County indicted Ronald Glendon Eldridge, Jr., a member of the Sumter County Council, on February 23, 2006, for one count of Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature; and

WHEREAS, a certified true copy of the indictment against Ronnie Glendon Eldridge, Jr. has been provided to me; and

WHEREAS, Article VI, Section 8 of the South Carolina Constitution provides that "[a]ny officer of the State or its political subdivisions . . ., who has been indicted by a grand jury for a crime involving moral turpitude or who has waived such indictment if permitted by law may be suspended by the Governor until he shall have been acquitted. . ."; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Glendon Eldridge, Jr. is an officer of the State or its political subdivisions; and

WHEREAS, the above-referenced indictment is for a crime that involves moral turpitude; and

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, I hereby suspend Ronald Glendon Eldridge, Jr. from the office he holds on Sumter County Council. This suspension shall remain in effect until such time as he shall be formally acquitted or convicted.

This action in no manner addresses the question of the guilt or innocence of Mr. Eldridge and should not be construed as an expression of any opinion one way or another on such question.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 28th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2006.

MARK SANFORD
Governor

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