WHEREAS, Verd Edward Odom, the Mayor of the Town of McColl, has been indicted by the State Grand Jury of South Carolina on one count of Use of Public Office for Personal Gain; 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. Odom 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 Verd Edward Odom shall be suspended from office until such time as the charge of Use of Public Office for Personal Gain referenced above has 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 12TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1997.

_____________________________________
DAVID M. BEASLEY
Governor

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