News and Press Releases for June 2007

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6/27/2007

Governor Sanford Suspends Treasurer

Governor Issues Executive Order Suspending State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel Following Indictment

Columbia, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford issued an executive order today immediately suspending state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel following the release of an indictment against the Constitutional officer:

"Given the grave nature of these charges and what is alleged in this indictment, we're left with no choice but to suspend Treasurer Ravenel immediately," Gov. Sanford said. "These are obviously very serious allegations that we're constitutionally bound to act upon, and they'll ultimately be decided by the courts."

The governor said he plans to make a decision on an interim appointment as soon as possible.

Pursuant to the South Carolina Constitution (Article VI, Section 8), the governor is empowered to suspend statewide, county or city officials indicted on criminal charges for crimes of "moral turpitude," generally understood to mean crimes that involve acts of fraud, deception or other morally culpable conduct.