A sitting South Carolina lawmaker has a previously undisclosed drug bust on his record, FITS has learned.
Christopher Hart (D-Richland) – a Columbia-based attorney – was arrested in October 1991 and charged with possession and distribution of crack cocaine. The arrest occurred two years into Hart’s stint as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard. The future lawmaker pleaded guilty to the charges in December 1992 – and was given a fine and two years probation.
Who sentenced him? Associate Supreme Court justice Costa Pleicones, who is currently lining up support in the S.C. General Assembly for a possible run against chief justice Jean Toal. Pleicones was a circuit court judge at the time.
Hart was elected to the “majority minority” South Carolina House District No. 73 in 2006 – and the liberal African-American has been reelected three times since. It’s not clear whether his arrest has ever been raised in any of his campaigns, although internet searches turned up no mention of the arrest.
Court records, however, confirmed Hart’s name, address and date of birth …
As we’ve noted repeatedly, we don’t think possession of crack cocaine – or any drug – should be illegal. Hart was of legal age at the time of his arrest, which means like any adult he ought to be able to use drugs if he wants. We’ve repeatedly made this point as it relates to the 2007 set-up of former State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel on cocaine charges, and we feel the same way about Hart’s arrest.
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48 comments
I’ve met him several times and, although he’s a lib, I liked him a great deal. Very bright, very nice, and I bet he’s got a bright future ahead of him. Most of us make big mistakes, especially when we’re young, and so long as he’s done with all that mess, then what-friggin-ever.
and so long as he’s done with all that mess
Well, yeah, that’s the big question one has to wonder.
If he’d been doing crack for a decade+, one would have to think it’d become a more serious problem by now.
Have you heard of Thomas Ravenel?
I stand corrected. Well played.
Well, let’s see. It was in 1991. That was over 20 FUCKING YEARS AGO.
You’re a whiz with the math.
I’ve met him several times and, although he’s a lib, I liked him a great deal. Very bright, very nice, and I bet he’s got a bright future ahead of him. Most of us make big mistakes, especially when we’re young, and so long as he’s done with all that mess, then what-friggin-ever.
and so long as he’s done with all that mess
Well, yeah, that’s the big question one has to wonder.
If he’d been doing crack for a decade+, one would have to think it’d become a more serious problem by now.
Have you heard of Thomas Ravenel?
I stand corrected. Well played.
Well, let’s see. It was in 1991. That was over 20 FUCKING YEARS AGO.
You’re a whiz with the math.
You know what I wanna see? A white guy charged with crack possession.
If I can’t get a chance to see that, how about a black guy charged with cocaine possession?
You know what I wanna see? A white guy charged with crack possession.
If I can’t get a chance to see that, how about a black guy charged with cocaine possession?
This story also shows that Justice Pleicones was a circuit court judge prior to being elevated to the Supreme Court – something Jean Hoefer Toal never did. While that may not be of such importance to many, it shows Pleicones has a depth of experience Toal does not have. The lack of character and integrity was something that Toal was born with and no one has been able to check.
But, Brad Warthen loves her.
That should tell every legislator something. If she and Warthen are still in their bromance, she should not be the chief justice.
This story also shows that Justice Pleicones was a circuit court judge prior to being elevated to the Supreme Court – something Jean Hoefer Toal never did. While that may not be of such importance to many, it shows Pleicones has a depth of experience Toal does not have. The lack of character and integrity was something that Toal was born with and no one has been able to check.
But, Brad Warthen loves her.
That should tell every legislator something. If she and Warthen are still in their bromance, she should not be the chief justice.
Did he cop a misdemeanor plea (not even sure if that’s possible with a distribution charge) or is there a felony on the books? I know other convicted felons are making laws and setting policies all over the United States, so this doesn’t surprise me, but it doesn’t mean they should be allowed to. If you aren’t allowed to vote, you shouldn’t be allowed to serve in an elected public office.
Gedney didn’t cop anything. His father made a single phone call. All traces of the traffic infraction disappeared. And the deputy sheriff was told to keep his mouth shut if he valued his job. End of story.
Did he cop a misdemeanor plea (not even sure if that’s possible with a distribution charge) or is there a felony on the books? I know other convicted felons are making laws and setting policies all over the United States, so this doesn’t surprise me, but it doesn’t mean they should be allowed to. If you aren’t allowed to vote, you shouldn’t be allowed to serve in an elected public office.
Gedney didn’t cop anything. His father made a single phone call. All traces of the traffic infraction disappeared. And the deputy sheriff was told to keep his mouth shut if he valued his job. End of story.
Not news unless he’s still doing it. Dude, that was 22 years ago.
I’m sure T-Rav’s college buddies probably thought he stopped doing blow 20 some odd years ago, too.
I feel sure they always knew he was the friend they could rely on to have some toot.
Not news unless he’s still doing it. Dude, that was 22 years ago.
I’m sure T-Rav’s college buddies probably thought he stopped doing blow 20 some odd years ago, too.
I feel sure they always knew he was the friend they could rely on to have some toot.
According to Richland Cty… Is that the same Christopher Hart who was busted for possession of marijuana and hash, just 6 years ago?
I see the distribution case, I don’t see the one you’re referencing. Case #?
According to Richland Cty… Is that the same Christopher Hart who was busted for possession of marijuana and hash, just 6 years ago?
I see the distribution case, I don’t see the one you’re referencing. Case #?
And the he got admitted to the Bar? Who won’t they admit?
Who won’t they admit? Smart, honest lawyers that could present a challenge to the Queen.
And the he got admitted to the Bar? Who won’t they admit?
Who won’t they admit? Smart, honest lawyers that could present a challenge to the Queen.
G. Howe (of Charleston) got caught with the powdered variety while in law school (in glove box — traffic stop by sheriff) but his daddy bought his way out of it. Just a matter of who you know and how much money you have to pay. Countless other college kids in the 70s got the same kid-glove treatment. Crack though, used by poor blacks, has a much harsher penalty. Totally unfair laws.
G. Howe got out of his ethical violations due to his “friendship$” with Cam Lewis and Jean Toal. The rest of the court, of course, were not involved. Read between the lines in the civil opinions.
G. Howe (of Charleston) got caught with the powdered variety while in law school (in glove box — traffic stop by sheriff) but his daddy bought his way out of it. Just a matter of who you know and how much money you have to pay. Countless other college kids in the 70s got the same kid-glove treatment. Crack though, used by poor blacks, has a much harsher penalty. Totally unfair laws.
G. Howe got out of his ethical violations due to his “friendship$” with Cam Lewis and Jean Toal. The rest of the court, of course, were not involved. Read between the lines in the civil opinions.
More reason for term limits. Power that does not be for the betterment of SC. Birds of a feather flock together. Hidden agendas do not belong when it is the people’s government. I can trust lawmakers that do not take the temptation. Just shows they all have a price. Wrong neighborhood.
More reason for term limits. Power that does not be for the betterment of SC. Birds of a feather flock together. Hidden agendas do not belong when it is the people’s government. I can trust lawmakers that do not take the temptation. Just shows they all have a price. Wrong neighborhood.
If you can not get a job with a bank then you do not belong in position of being responsible for the future of The People. That’s is for everyone that is an elected official. That is why I like term limits because you do your job for The People then go home. You stay longer then you get power Hungary.
If you can not get a job with a bank then you do not belong in position of being responsible for the future of The People. That’s is for everyone that is an elected official. That is why I like term limits because you do your job for The People then go home. You stay longer then you get power Hungary.