Sunday, July 29, 2007

State: Ravenel Facing Probation to Four Years

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Sun, Jul 29, 2007 at 9:49 AM

The State reports today that Ravenel could skip prison all together, based on a review of federal sentencing.

If convicted on a federal drug charge, former State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel could receive as little as six months’ house arrest and probation, according to an analysis of federal sentencing guidelines by The State. The most prison time that Ravenel likely would face would be about four years.

A similar Charleston case a few years back involving locals distributing cocaine to friends ended up with probation. While prison can be avoided, the political reality can't. It's back to the million-dollar commercial real estate market for Ravenel. Poor guy.

Topics: Ravenel
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Comments (8)

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Hmm, one has to wonder if a poor black man living in the projects guilty of the same crime would also be lucky enough to score probation. Methinks not.

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Posted by inthelowcountry on July 30, 2007 at 11:27 AM

Neither a poor black man nor Thomas Ravenel should have to go to prison for distribution of cocaine. I for one don't want to pay for it...with a cost upwards of $30,000 a year in my hard-earned taxes? No thanks. Furthermore, I'm offended that I have to pay for these expensive investigations and law suits that prosecute victimless crimes. By the way, has anyone actually proven that this alleged crime in any way affected his performance as Treasurer? He lost his job and has been publicly humiliated. Isn't that enough? Meanwhile, South Carolina still ranks at the bottom in education. This law suit is a waste of time and money. Let's get our priorities straight.

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Posted by Libertarian on July 30, 2007 at 12:16 PM

Who says his political career is over? I can think of two political positions where cocaine use hasn't seemed to influence voters' decisions, Mayor of Washington, DC and President of the USA. The only requirement for having a political career is the adoration of the voting public.

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Posted by Slocum on July 30, 2007 at 2:51 PM

1. We're not in Washington. 2. Ravenel isn't just accused of using. He's accused of handing it out. Not good.

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Posted by Greg Hambrick on July 30, 2007 at 3:18 PM

Maybe we should legalize drugs and the government could get all the revenue and then pump it into public education rather than waste billions to fight the war on drugs and letting the cartels make ridiculous profits on the stuff. We could probably fund health care as well. Lord knows the demand for drugs in the US is not going to wane, unless it was regulated by the government.

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Posted by Roy on July 31, 2007 at 3:33 PM

Baby Bush wasn't just a user. He handed it out too. Brother Baby Bush at UVA was a great source of 'snow' according to some who were there.

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Posted by anonymous on August 1, 2007 at 10:53 PM

To say this is a victimless crime is balderdash. DISTRIBUTION. I was a counselor at a treatment canter and there are victims - innocent ones. Also, I question the man's judgement. Drugs affect a person's judgement! Baby Bush (if guilty) should have been punished-I don't care who he is. Ravanel will probably get a pass.

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Posted by Paul on August 5, 2007 at 2:45 PM

Lots of speculating on supposed guilt of Ravenel. Seems like he's doing the right thing now. Unless you are him, don't assume.

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Posted by unless you know from IL on August 21, 2007 at 4:06 PM
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