Governor's Executive Order 2007-09 - South Carolina Legislature Online

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2007-09

WHEREAS, a one count indictment was filed against Thomas Ravenel on June 19, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division stating charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C) and 846; and

WHEREAS, South Carolina Attorney General Opinion 5-8-90 opined that possession of cocaine is a crime of moral turpitude; and the South Carolina Supreme Court in State v. Major, 301 S.C. 181, 391 S.E.2d 235 (1990) held that simple possession of cocaine is a crime of moral turpitude; and South Carolina Attorney General Opinion 6-25-91 opined that attempted possession of cocaine is a crime of moral turpitude; and

WHEREAS, a certified true copy of the indictment against Thomas Ravenel has been provided to me; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Ravenel is the State Treasurer for the State of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Article VI, Section 8 of the South Carolina Constitution provides, in pertinent part, 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."

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, I hereby suspend Thomas Ravenel from the Office of the State Treasurer. 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. Ravenel 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 19th DAY OF JUNE, 2007.

MARK SANFORD
Governor

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