Former Guiliani election chair for SC Ravenel pleas guilty

[Netbeavis]

http://www.thestate.com/news/story/160577.html

Ravenel agrees to plea to cocaine charges
By RICK BRUNDRETT - [e-mail]


Former State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of conspiring to possess and distribute less than 100 grams of cocaine, according to a plea agreement filed this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Columbia.

Ravenel’s attorneys and federal prosecutors have agreed that for sentencing purposes, the quantity of cocaine involved was less than 100 grams, which, if accepted by the judge, could reduce his sentence under federal sentencing guidelines.

If Ravenel’s cooperation in the case leads to the investigation or prosecution of another person, prosecutors also will ask the judge to reduce his sentence further under sentencing guidelines, according to the agreement.

A court hearing for Ravenel, the multimillionaire Charleston developer who was indicted June 19, is scheduled for Thursday in Columbia.

The State newspaper reported in July that Ravenel, if convicted, could receive as little as six months’ house arrest and probation up to about four years in prison under sentencing guidelines.

The maximum sentence for the charge is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Ravenel, 45, who was elected in November, was suspended from office by Gov. Mark Sanford the same day he was indicted. He resigned his position immediately after a July 24 court appearance.

Two other co-defendants, Michael L. Miller, 25, of Mount Pleasant, and Pasquale Pellicoro, 53, of Charleston, face the same charge.

[acmavm]

1. Now, if he was black and not politically connected, I wonder

what sentence he'd get?

[Netbeavis]

2. he got the Mike Vick deal

be a stooge & narc on your buddies, and get a reduced sentance.