Giuliani Campaign Chairman Caught Running Crack Distribution Ring
State Treasurer Suspended After Indictment on Drug Charges
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP, WLTX) — South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has been suspended from office, following his indictment by a federal grand jury for distribution of cocaine…. Ravenel, a Republican, was elected state treasurer in 2006. His father, Arthur Ravenel Junior, was a powerful politician from Charleston who served eight years in the U.S. House and is a former state representative and state senator. Thomas is also the founder of Ravenel Development Corp., a commercial real estate development company. As well, he serves as the state chairman for former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign. Late Tuesday, Giuliani’s campaign announced he stepped down from that role.
Oh man, just when you’d might have begun to think that the Republican primary campaign was about to see into six or seven months of mindless drudgery…well, laissez les bon temps rouler, no?
Given that Rudy Giuliani has worked overtime to position himself as a bonafide “law and order” candidate (I suppose being a former US Attorney makes that seem a logical step), the irony of this story is truly delicious. Yes, I understand that Giuliani himself wasn’t involved in distrubuting crack with Ravenel, and I’m normally not a big proponent of schadenfreude, but I may just have to make an exception here. Giuliani has been so openly and transparently hypocritical that he’s almost begging to be ridiculed.
The indictments accuse Ravenel, 44, and Michael Miller, 25, of distributing less than 500 grams of cocaine starting in late 2005. They’re officially indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute.
Officials say Ravenel bought the drugs from Miller to share with other people. U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd says Ravenel didn’t sell any of the drugs. Lloyd says the investigation is just beginning.
Authorities say Ravenel will be allowed to turn himself in.
Lloyd says the investigation into Ravenel arose from a drug case last year in Charleston. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart says his agents were aware of the allegations before Ravenel was elected in November. But they didn’t have enough information to pursue criminal charges until they turned the case over to the FBI in April.
If nothing else, I suppose this might be taken as an indication that his “law and order” credentials aside, Rudy Giuliani is a lousy judge of character. Sure, I suppose that this sort of thing could happen to anyone, but given his hypocritical nature, I’m much less likely to cut Giuliani any slack. Thomas Ravenel was given a significant position within the the Giluliani campaign, and it turns out that he’s a druggie. So, how’s that “law and order” thing working out for you, Rudy?
Of course, Ravenel IS a wealthy and influential Republican, so I’m sure that Giuliani and his ilk will find a way to rationalize his actions. Honestly, this sort of thing is really only a crime and an indication of a lack of character if a Democrat is involved.
WE DESERVE BETTER.
