"O" is for Operation Lost Trust. Operation Lost Trust was arguably South Carolina's largest and longest-running political scandal. The key player in the FBI's investigation into legislative corruption was Ron Cobb, a lobbyist and former member of the S.C. House of Representatives. After being arrested by the FBI on a drug charge, he cooperated with them and told legislators he represented a group seeking support for legalizing dog- and horse-track betting in the state. He recruited two legislators to help him and they enticed legislators into the scheme by paying them money in exchange for their support and votes. The federal investigation resulted in the conviction of seventeen legislators, seven lobbyists, and three others for bribery, extortion, or drug use. Including the investigation, trials, and retrials, the Operation Lost Trust saga lasted nearly ten years.
"O" is for Operation Lost Trust
