Eight people are facing charges in a federal corruption investigation, including three North Charleston city council members. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI made the announcement Wednesday.
“They pledged to uphold the law,” acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Brook Andrews said during an afternoon press conference.
“The allegations in this case describe a profound betrayal of that trust.”
Authorities say the federal charges range from bribery, to extortion, to kickbacks and money laundering schemes. They involve the rezoning of the Baker Hospital site as well as grants to reduce violence in North Charleston.
“The defendants used their positions of power and influence to orchestrate backdoor deals for personal gain,” FBI special agent Steve Jensen said.
Authorities named three council members they say were involved, Jerome Heyward, Mike Brown and Sandino Moses. Heyward and Moses are expected to plead guilty in federal court in Charleston Friday while Brown will be arraigned in March.
Five others are named as associates, with two pleading guilty Friday as well. Two of the associates are from North Carolina and one is the founder of a nonprofit.
Authorities say 61-year-old Heyward faces the most charges as he’s accused of participating in three separate schemes. The first accuses him of extorting a businessman by soliciting money in exchange for his actions on city council.
A second alleges he conspired with fellow council member Mike Brown to accept bribes for his support rezoning the hospital site. And a third accuses him of conspiring with three others to embezzle funds meant for the city of North Charleston by soliciting and accepting money from non-profits.
Heyward is expected to plead guilty to more than a dozen charges Friday. His attorney Andy Savage confirms the councilman has since stepped down and provided a copy of his resignation letter which reads in part, “I resign with deep contrition for my past actions that led to this decision.”
North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess released a statement Wednesday night saying, “the city has fully cooperated with this inquiry, embracing the opportunity to ensure the continued trust and confidence of our community.”
Meantime, Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order Wednesday, suspending councilman Brown, "until such a time as he is formally acquitted, convicted or until a successor is elected and qualifies as provided by law, whichever occurs first".
The governor's office adds councilman Moses has stepped down.
The U.S. Attorney’s office and the FBI say they received a tip last February and have been investigating since.
