SC

Lexington Ring: Washing The Money

FEDS REPORTEDLY HOT ON THE TRAIL OF VIDEO POKER PROFITS When Elliot Ness and “The Untouchables” brought down Chicagoland gangster Al Capone, they didn’t bust him on a murder or conspiracy rap – they nailed him for income tax evasion. The same could soon be said for members of the…

FEDS REPORTEDLY HOT ON THE TRAIL OF VIDEO POKER PROFITS

When Elliot Ness and “The Untouchables” brought down Chicagoland gangster Al Capone, they didn’t bust him on a murder or conspiracy rap – they nailed him for income tax evasion.

The same could soon be said for members of the so-called “Lexington Ring,” a cabal of corrupt politicians and crooked cops accused of running an illegal video poker ring out of Lexington County, S.C.  As federal investigators tighten the noose on several key members of the ring, sources tell FITS the ongoing U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) probe has become increasingly focused on how the profits from the massive operation are being laundered.

They’re following the money, in other words …

What have they found?  According to our sources, investigators believe gambling proceeds are being laundered through all sorts of transactions – including hundreds of “shady real estate deals” involving the dubious re-sale of property to family members of various ring participants.

In addition to laundering money, “hundreds of thousands of dollars in property tax and income tax is disappearing,” one of our sources said.

Wow … this story just keeps getting better, doesn’t it?

The saga of the “Ring” became front page news this summer after Lexington, S.C. town councilman Danny Frazier was surreptitiously recorded explaining the inner workings of the ring to a prospective client.  These recordings were provided to the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in March by a former member of the ring – a ex-magistrate who claims that he once issued favorable rulings on behalf of the underground video poker industry.

Astoundingly, the agency sat on the tapes for more than four months … at which point they were leaked to members of the mainstream media.

Frazier originally denied making the statements contained in the recordings, but later changed his tune and said he fabricated them in an effort to make himself appear influential.  Among the “influential” names dropped by Frazier on the tapes?  Lexington, S.C. Sheriff Jimmy Metts, Columbia, S.C. mayor Steve Benjamin, S.C. Senator Ronnie Cromer (RINO-Newberry) and former S.C. Senator Jakie Knotts (RINO-Lexington).

Ironically, we were first informed of the feds’ chasing the money trail after we posted a report last month on Frazier attempting to sell his home.  It’s unclear whether Frazier has been involved in any of the “shady property transactions” our sources outlined – although we’re told that “multiple public officials” have participated in the questionable transactions.

The “ring” is full of really, really bad dudes. In fact its activities are said to include misappropriated public fundsprostitution and even murder.

Will any of them ever be brought to justice for their crimes?

That remains to be seen …

As we’ve stated on numerous occasions, we support the expansion of gaming in South Carolina.  We also oppose the current state-run gambling monopoly (a.k.a. the so-called “education” lottery).  We believe private businesses should have the right to offer gambling to their customers – and that private citizens should have the right to gamble.  We do not, however, believe that a select group of politicians and law enforcement officials should be allowed to run their own racket while cracking down on others who seek to exercise this freedom.

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71 comments

Turducken December 22, 2012 at 4:11 pm

Technically, Jakie is STILL senator = At least for another 10 days or 2 weeks, whenever the newly elected are all sworn in.

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ConcernedinSC December 22, 2012 at 9:47 pm

Technically Knotts is NOT Senator. He has not been since the election results were verified. Shealy was sworn into office on November 14, 2012. You are WRONG. Knotts is the Former Senator.

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BigT December 22, 2012 at 4:41 pm

4 Indictments, at least, is what I heard…and not just minnows…

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Watching Republicans Lie December 22, 2012 at 5:33 pm

What you heard?You havent heard a damn thing you lying twit!

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BigT December 22, 2012 at 8:15 pm

Looky, Looky..we got another effeimnate little liberal w/ BigT envy…

Or are you one of the other usual suspects who failed, and looked Stupid doing it, so you changed your name..???

Get a Brain, and it may help w/ your insecuity, @$$-Hole…

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AnObserver December 22, 2012 at 8:41 pm

Big ‘T’, does that stand for something like Big ‘Twit’ or Big ‘Toadie’? I’ve noticed you have a foul mouth, a poor command of the English language, and a pathological hatred of anyone who doesn’t agree with you.

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same ol' same ol' December 23, 2012 at 12:42 am

I suppose the mouth isn’t any more foul than any other poster on here, it just isn’t spelled correctly.

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Carrefour December 23, 2012 at 5:28 am

Same news as several months ago. Fact is there is no news, just a bunch of wishful thinking. If all roads lead to Knotts does anyone really believe Alan Wilson is going to let anything happen to Roxanne’s best friend? The way Frazier is carrying on, and the guy has no shame riding his fat ass around on Christmas parade float with the human porcupine and the rest of town council,he either has immunity or his buds such as Lott, Metts, Taylor, Halfacre, have assured him this is all going away. Looks like it is.

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T Sux December 23, 2012 at 5:32 am

Big T—-for twat.

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BigT December 23, 2012 at 10:16 am

Foul mouthed???…Hahahaha…

So now you Leftwing Nutjobs are Concerned w/ clean language???…

The MORAL Judegment of Heathens????…LMAO…

Just like FITS is Monitoring everything from Parking practices to Eckstrom’s dating habits…all the While CLAIMING he’s an ‘ANYTHING GOES’ Libertarian….

I’m not sure if you people are just hypocrites or just ABJECT Dumb@$$#$, who are too d@*n stupid to figure out I keep track of you Ignorance…

Either way: You are Low-intelligence, Obama-voting-jokes…

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junior justice December 22, 2012 at 5:26 pm

Is that hoof beats we hear? And it’s not the cavalry.

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Clayton December 22, 2012 at 5:44 pm

I will believe it when I see it.

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same ol' same ol' December 23, 2012 at 12:43 am

+1

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vicupstate December 23, 2012 at 2:27 pm

+2

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john public December 22, 2012 at 6:14 pm

let me tell you,i have sent emails to fits..with no responce i have a reliable informant who says fits info is true..however not who the think,because i am or was close to the main players i must keep my id secret,but yes you will see arrests soon,this time of year short of murder or dui you will get away with it!

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Bill H December 23, 2012 at 10:33 am

Sure we will. This same “informant” running all over town saying indictments will issue in March. Another person peddling hearsay. Yawn………

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Steve December 22, 2012 at 6:17 pm

I hate to say Watching Rep. I have heard the same within two weeks…Will it be a Happy New Year??? JM, JN, SB, JT,and of course DF…Rumors are rumors only time will tell. Just the lives this will affect who work for these Public Officials are going to be hurt, this is the unfortunate part of it all. They have gambled, and effected numerous other lives…Mery Christmas

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Homer Simpson December 22, 2012 at 6:54 pm

Who is JN and JT?

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oh well December 23, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Rumored JM, RH, JK, HT, CC will all be indicted. With this new info on the Real Estate dealings, one of their associates was in the business with an infamous realtor in West Col.
This Octopus may have many tenticles. This should please some of these girls hanging with this clutch of thieves and scoundrels.

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Homer Simpson December 23, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Who is RH, HT, CC and JT? Not all of us are familiar with all the characters involved in this script. Please spell it out so we will all understand!

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Dasiey Dukes December 22, 2012 at 7:27 pm

I’m sure they meant JK as the K is silent, and most forget this. But JT ??

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Old Bike Dude December 22, 2012 at 8:36 pm

Lexington Ring, Jasper Port, 388, moral decay, tea party darlings…fractured fairy tales.

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Jeffy01 December 22, 2012 at 9:10 pm

Same Feds working on the Horry county case?

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KRONOS December 22, 2012 at 9:16 pm

Looks like Danny Frazier and Lillian McBride are made from the same criminal and incompetant cookie molds. And they have no shame.

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Candy Kane December 23, 2012 at 10:45 am

Amen to that. No shame at all. I am particularly offended by that sanctimonious Halfwit whose ass is in the shit as deep as anyone’s and he paraded the Lexington clergy before the cameras to pray for the town and give the impression that they were exorcising the Devil Danny. Now Danny is back and the council are all chumming around with Danny like he’s family. People, Halfwit and council played y’all like chumps and suckers and y’all fell for it. It’s amazing how stupid Lexington voters are.

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Truth seeker December 22, 2012 at 11:09 pm

It will be such a great day for all South Carolina and lexington county citizens when Jakie Knotts, Danny Frazier, James Metts, a couple of Chief of Police like Jason Amidio, Dennis Tyndall and all other law enforcement officers who has protected this corrupt gambling ring once they are indicted and arrested.

With this new information that has come forward, I would not be surprised if the Congaree State Bank is involved in this scheme because of Senator Seltzer’s, law partner, Danny Scott, involvement with the bank and their close ties to Danny Frazier and Jakie Knotts.

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KRONOS December 23, 2012 at 11:36 am

@ Truth, Let us not forget the two clowns running the Lexington Town police Department: GREEN and KOON. Talk about having their strings pulled by this sanctimonious council- Unqualified and unexperienced. They better be thankful they work in a area that doesnt have the crime like Columbia and Richland County.

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not in the ring December 29, 2012 at 7:09 pm

there are quite a few wannabes that have been hanging with these crooks who haven’t even got the juice to get elected, but who use their friendships with these people to do dirt that should be caught up in this too. It’s about time the citizens of Lexington County are all on an even playing field and these knuckle dragging idiots are all gone. There is something to be said about the old practice of tar and feathering and running em out on a rail.

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Bamburger December 23, 2012 at 5:07 am

This fairy tale is getting old. Frazier has returned and is his old self, Cynthia Frazier is now employed by Beth Carrigg, no indictments as the Feds aren’t interested and all these guys are friends of the Wilson family so Alan is looking the other way. Lex town council is as incompetent as ever, Halfacre doesn’t need his fake tears and clergy coverup, the Costa Rican connection is vacationing with full debauchery, and Knotts, Metts and all the others have moved on laughing at all of this. Merry Christmas Lexington and to the cabal a hearty happy new year.

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Tammy December 23, 2012 at 10:29 am

Seems like FITS has milked this no story for all it’s worth. Sure, Danny’s big mouth scared some people but when you have to base an indictment on a guy who is serial liar and everything else is circumstantial then you’re left with nothing. Sorry all you dreamers out there, the Feds or SLED are not going to fix what you Lexington people voted for yourself and you let happen. If you’re pissed off at all this you have the opportunity starting in 2014 to clean house. You may not be able to vote out Frazier then but a number of the cabal and those mentioned in the past months are up for re election.

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King-Tut December 23, 2012 at 5:23 pm

Whats the human porcupines position – other being smothered by lard-ass?

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Mr.Roundhead December 23, 2012 at 9:36 am

And the cock fights still rage on down in the swamps. Now, that’s where the real money is — none of this penny ante video cha-ching crap. I can make more $$ in two matches than these bar stool sitters make in a month. You’d be surprised who throws down the money in the cock-pit.

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Pelion Peanut December 23, 2012 at 10:52 am

Damn it you gave it away! Half of Lexington knows where these are and no problem walking away with thousands $$ at end of night. F this penny ante poker crap. And you are right….the ones that make the most are the bankers, real estate moguls, school people and politicians who organize and run these. And we ain’t gonna stop because what we do on private property is our business.

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Pope of Pelion December 24, 2012 at 5:42 pm

God bless you my son. Now please don’t go and confuse Mr. Roundhead and his group with those canine pushers from Kershaw and Fairfield counties. Those Lexington County cockers are fine hard working folks and they have a long lineage going back to the kings of old in the mother country.

Them roosters walk tall and teach one courage. I’m proud to offer the blessings before each match and bless the most plentiful bounty that comes forth to the victors. Even the losers get recycled.

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Some sucker will fall December 23, 2012 at 10:04 am

There will be some judas goat that ends up on the backsplash but it won’t change a thing.
Fact of life, some things never change. Why do you think in a state with so many gamblers we cannot legalization gaming? Slice of the pie , wink.

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Liberal Trash December 23, 2012 at 10:05 am

This again?

Yeh,yeh yeh…..

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BigT December 23, 2012 at 11:01 am

And get this: Sanford thinks he can just jump back in…

SC voters are not as Stupid as a majority (leftwingers) of the FITS audience…

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LMAO December 23, 2012 at 12:50 pm

Also heard former Lt. Gov and Sanford adultering twin Peeler was delusional about getting back into politics also.
We need all new blood from ilson right on down. Throw out the old trash and start over anew.

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BigT December 23, 2012 at 2:41 pm

I agree w/ you there…

These people are Delusional…

FITS and Sanford had their shot and Effed-Up Gargantuanly…Peeler cheated his comeback away…..ruined a man’s life…

You all proved to be UNFIT…take a Hike…

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marty December 24, 2012 at 10:56 pm

Gotta ditto that remark.

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Politics Plays A Role December 23, 2012 at 5:28 pm

Feds are watching the proponets of I-526.

Bobby Harrell is going to fall flat on his face soon. lolololol

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Capitol Tiger December 23, 2012 at 8:49 pm

This peeler was a dumb ass when he was Lt. Gov. and is worse now.Prisses around Clemson with a woman and then another, they must be blind or hard up for attention. He is an afeminate twit.
Sanford was an idiot in Congress and worse as Governor. Bringing crapping pigs into the Capitol! Couldn’t keep a gig on Fox…looser. He gave up his chances too.
These two are no different than Frazier and Eckstrom, who are sickening and perverted. They all need to just go away.

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lexington voter December 23, 2012 at 9:10 pm

They are all home wreckers, liars. Sanford is thee only one not from Lexington.
Throw Hazel, Halfacre, Stambolitis, Chief Tyndle, Chief Amidio, Tim James, jimmy Metts, Wilson, Meyers and Nikki Haley into the mix and you get a real fruit salad of corrupt, ethicly, morally challenged pig feces.

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Capitol Tiger December 24, 2012 at 3:35 am

Correction
Effimanate Twit.

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Judy Chop December 24, 2012 at 5:49 pm

I seen Peeler at the Estee Lauder counter at Belks. Wonder if the $70.00 eye cream he was buying was for himself?

A real man don’t hang around a place that sells smellers. Real men hang around fish camps and feed and seed stores.

How did a guy who grew up on a diary farm tun out so sissy?

Damn — its cold and rainy outside today! Just slapped the dog and put another log on the fire.

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hair and more December 24, 2012 at 8:37 pm

Bob uses all manner of creams, hair dyes, hair stylist, etc. he really is a girly man!
It was rumored he shaves his legs….lord, I hope not?

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junior justice December 24, 2012 at 9:27 pm

And something else more private? Possibly?

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day spa December 25, 2012 at 6:55 pm

No, it is waxing to remove unwanted hair.
The eye creme is probably used by him (with that moon scape complexion) or alligator skinned Donna.
He really needs an acid wash to clear up the imperfections or a sanding technique to smooth up a bit.

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Mad December 25, 2012 at 2:17 am

Merry Christmas to all the corrupt mother f@ckers involved in the lexington ring. Y’all’s gift, I mean indictments, are being wrapped for the new year. I guess now that Jakie Knotts is no longer a senator and has since been hire by magic minutes, a video poker company, lexington county judges, Gary Morgan, Gary Rhinehart, Brian Jeffcoat, Becky Adams can now rule the machines illegal. James Metts is seizing some illegal machines but I bet… Well I will re-phrase that, I am curious if those machines that James Metts is seizing are from the same universal machine company or east cost vending company that Danny Frazier said on tape that he was a consultant for and who paid ol’ Metts campaign contributions to look the other way while those illegal video poker companies flooded lexington county without enforcement from Metts’ department, West Columbia Police Cayce Public Safety and South Congarre Police departments.

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car seller December 26, 2012 at 1:50 am

Please don’t pick on “I like me some hooker shoes”.

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King-Tut December 26, 2012 at 8:49 pm

Mad, hopefully those magistrates you referred to will be replaced. All appointed by Jake with influence from members of the “ring”; bought and paid for….

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Town C member December 26, 2012 at 1:40 am

Hazel looks more drawn and sickly than ever. Boobs on a stick. Yeah, understand about Al Capone.

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K Kelly December 28, 2012 at 1:10 pm

I believe on council she sits between Halfacre and Frazier. She is in the mix on anything those two twats are up to. Probably worried sick what happens to people in prison. . .

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Town C member December 26, 2012 at 1:47 am

Hazel is looking pretty thin and sickly. Worried, maybe. Maybe third time is the key, you know, husband #3. They got Al Capone on what?

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Wondering December 27, 2012 at 2:44 pm

I’d still do her.

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Likin Them Fakes December 28, 2012 at 1:12 pm

She’s definitely HOT.
Go to Herndon Chevrolet in Lexington. Buy a truck, get a Fu*k.

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King-Tut December 29, 2012 at 10:26 am

Ask T. James how it was. Rumor was he was “hitting it” awhile back when she was still a Tindal.

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insider guy December 26, 2012 at 2:08 am

Hazel, is there a reason you’re looking so thin? Stress? Why? How’s that working out with husband, #3?

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Bellyache December 28, 2012 at 1:06 pm

Maybe its that she is nervous about those Lexington Beautification funds being siphoned into Halfwit’s chamber shithole on Main Street. That is supposed to be for beautifying public spaces, not private property. She’s got her fake tits in a wad on this one.

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Tammy December 28, 2012 at 1:18 pm

+1. I hear Hazel Tyndall Leggett Livingston etc etc and her daughter and her husband involved with those Beautification Funds and isn’t it convenient that hubby No. 3 is in the landscaping business and did the Halfacre chamber boondoggle on main street in Lexington and was paid by the Beautification funds. Why isn’t Alan Wilson or SLED or the Lexington city attorney or even Halfacre looking into that little convenient arrangement? Also heard on FITS somewhere that Hazel had town workers sod her daughter’s yard using sod that Hazel got from the town square. Another project using husband’s business? Heard Hazel only “paid” for the sod when she was caught. Is she nervous??? She should be. . . . . . . .

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Soft Sigh from Hell December 26, 2012 at 12:06 pm

Who would you like best to see hauled off to the hoosegow?

Both Jimmy and Jakie would make good Beagle Boys caricatures.

Ariail could have a field day . . . week.

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Stump December 26, 2012 at 12:38 pm

Has that Gator hole-in-the-wall ‘business’ been raided by W. Columbia or is Chief Tindal still in Fraziers lockdown! Ha ha ha! What about his sleezeball business partner- Barr walked in on? Belle?

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Mad December 26, 2012 at 3:17 pm

Jody Barr from WIS news walked in on Danny Frazier’s high school friend and crime partner, Stacie Bell, at their illegal video poker parlor at Gators in the city of West Columbia where Chief of Police Dennis Tyndall is quoted by Danny Frazier on tape “Dennis Tyndall is not touching these machines”. Referring to Danny Frazier’s illegal video poker machines. But would like to know where ol’ Stacie Bell has been too. Hopefully he will have a nice little indictment coming his way along with the others.

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King-Tut December 27, 2012 at 2:34 pm

Mad, why don’t you ask him. I remember seeing a WIS report or the State Newspaper article his Facebook is “Foodand Beverage.”. While there check out Danny’s friends page.

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ace December 27, 2012 at 8:58 am

O.K. I get it but why didn’t I see this information on the other news?

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ace December 27, 2012 at 9:00 am

I checked newspapers across the state and other tv news not a word on all this. Is this a joke or, is it real?

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ace December 27, 2012 at 9:10 am

With no proof it’s just bad reporting on your part. Show us the proof. Or let it go. Without proof you’re just a here say reporter.

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I know you all December 27, 2012 at 10:06 am

Might want to do some serious research on Essex Homes and Atlantis Development LLC. Where’s the money?

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Wondering December 27, 2012 at 10:29 am

SO, any nude pics?

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Truth seeker December 29, 2012 at 11:40 pm

It is way past time that all of these corrupt politicians get indicted and be help accountable for their evil doings. I wonder if attorney Henry Taylor will represent Danny Frazier, or will Henry Taylor need an attorney for himself if he is tied into this property investigation. Let’s not forget Hazel Leggett-Tyndall-whatever last name she is using for the month attorney daughter can represent her. However, I believe Hazel’s daughter will be way out of her league in Federal court.

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Amused January 6, 2013 at 12:38 pm

I just stumbled across a few of these articles, interesting they are. I see only one of the Taylor bunch in the comments. Has ther been anything on possible involvement of other Taylors, such as Don Talyor? A Congaree Bank? An avaiation Company? Real Estate Businesses? James Megronigle retired archievist? Anyway, sex, drugs, money laundering, and so on…I wouldn’t be optomistic that SLED will do much with this… Don’t really think the Bureau will dig too awful deep. You may see a few go down to satisfy the public…Hundreds of SC’s honorables would be at risk! The witty banter is amusing just the same.

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