WHEREAS, Fred Brown, Chief of Police for the City of Summerton, was indicted for Misconduct in Office, Blackmail, and Distribution of Cocaine by the State Grand Jury on November 14, 1995; and,

WHEREAS, these crimes are crimes of moral turpitude; and,

WHEREAS, Article VI, Section 8 of the South Carolina Constitution (1895 as amended) provides, in pertinent part, that "[a]ny officer of the State or its political subdivisions, except members and officers of the Legislative and Judicial Branches, 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. In case of conviction the office shall be declared vacant and the vacancy filled as may be provided by law."; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown is an Officer of the State or its political subdivisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers conferred upon me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, I hereby declare that Fred Brown shall be suspended from office until such time as the charges of Misconduct in Office, Blackmail, and Distribution of Cocaine referenced above have been resolved, at which time further appropriate action will be taken by the undersigned.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT
SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
THIS 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1995

________________________________________
DAVID M. BEASLEY
Governor

ATTEST:

_________________________
JAMES M. MILES
Secretary of State

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:17 A.M.