WHEREAS, Stephon Edwards, a member of the South Carolina State University Board of Trustees, has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on one count of conspiracy and two counts of mail fraud; and

WHEREAS, mail fraud is a crime of moral turpitude; 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, 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. Edwards 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 order that Stephon Edwards shall be suspended from the South Carolina State University Board of Trustees until such time as the charges of Conspiracy and Mail Fraud 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 13TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1997.

_____________________________________
DAVID M. BEASLEY
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:18 A.M.