Former SC DOT Commissioner accepted would-be bribes, federal prosecutors say

[TexasTowelie]

A former South Carolina transportation commissioner accepted alleged bribes from a state contractor but is likely to avoid time behind bars.

John Hardee, the commissioner, pleaded guilty to obstruction-related charges in January, but for the past six months the facts surrounding that case have been shrouded in mystery.

That ended on Monday. Details of an alleged bribery scheme burst into public view after federal prosecutors filed a new sentencing memorandum in the case.

According to the memo, a confidential witness admitted they made several payments directly to Hardee and that the money was intended as a bribe to help their business win state contracts.

Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/news/former-sc-dot-commissioner-accepted-would-be-bribes-federal-prosecutors/article_649ce294-a713-11e9-afd2-3b4ab66fbdca.html

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1. His father-in-law most powerful SC politician

His father-in-law, Hugh Leatherman, 88, is probably still the most powerful politician in SC state government, in spite of recent efforts to curtail his control.