We knew months ago that freshman S.C. Rep. Stephen Goldfinch (RINO-Georgetown) was no friend of the taxpayer.
Seriously … anybody who wants to add schools to the Palmetto State’s hopelessly bloated system of higher education clearly has his priorities WAY out of whack.
A true free market conservative would support privatizing the whole damn system and being done with it …
But Goldfinch isn’t just a typical South Carolina “Republican in Name Only.” He’s a much more dangerous animal – as evidenced by his diabolically skillful handling of a looming federal indictment.
For those of you just catching up to this story, FITS exclusively reported seven weeks ago that Goldfinch was at the heart of a federal investigation into the illegal harvesting of stem cells. This week, Goldfinch for the first time confirmed the existence of this probe – and announced his plan to plead guilty to a pair of charges related to it.
Why now?
Glad you asked: Let’s examine the many instances of evil genius associated with this white collar hoodlum’s “confession.”
First is timing. Goldfinch leaked the news of his impending guilty plea so that it would appear in newspapers the day before Thanksgiving – i.e. a national “travel day” (when next to no one is following the news).
Second is venue. Goldfinch leaked the story to his hometown paper, ensuring the first mainstream media account of the scandal would be as favorable to his version of events as possible.
Third is coordination. Within minutes of the news about Goldfinch breaking, the local “Republican” party in Georgetown County had issued a press release praising his service and urging support for him.
Fourth is blame. While the last line of Goldfinch’s statement talks about “taking responsibility,” virtually every other line in his press release blames someone else for the fiasco – which we’re told is completely inconsistent with what really happened.
Fifth – and most importantly – is definition. Goldfinch has defined the terms of this scandal in a vacuum. Until federal authorities actually indict Goldfinch (and list the specific charges they are filing against him), we have no idea whether he is telling us the whole truth about his plea agreement. But Goldfinch has – for the initial news cycle anyway – framed everything according to his version of events.
Pretty impressive, huh?
Stephen Goldfinch, everybody. Smooth criminal.
31 comments
Maybe he just took a page from Haley’s playbook, funny how nothing that has gone wrong with her cabinet agencies is at all her fault. IMHO she should be denied a 2nd term for the DOR breach alone.
10-4!!!!
She should be denied for how she -handled- the DoR breach alone, anyways.
Bull crap. What did she do/not do (specifically) that would put that blame on her. She had a supposed IT professional running things over there. Unless there was a breach of her duties, or something she overtly did, that would be like holding her responsible for a mistake at the DMV.
And before someone comes out with “this was so big”, ask yourself “if this can happen to a firm like TRW or the NSA for God’s sake, why can it not happen at SCDOR?
Hackers are like hurricanes, its not if they will come its when. If Haley was not smart enough to figure that out she deserves to be booted. Did she not also try to blame the IRS for not mandating more security? I guess the federal government is bad until you need a scapegoat.
Oh, the body part seller. Great. Capitalism at it’s worst.
Wow, pretty impressive rundown. Maybe he’s Ms. Lindsey’s understudy. He kinda looks gay.
I’ve Ms. Lindsey is taking him to pound town, I get first dibs on his hot wife.
Well, I certainly hope he really didn’t know what was going on and was trapped. We all know that large sums of money can cloud good judgement. Based on the pic, he has a lot to lose. If that’s his SO, she is really pretty. I don’t mean that in a bad way.
He (or, more accurately, his political daddy Tom Swatzell) admittedly handled this announcement about as well as could be accomplished in light of how genuinely shitty the whole deal was, and how bad Goldfinch looks now. The optics will undoubtedly get worse, however, as the details come to light and the gov’t side has their say (not to mention that in federal court, the judge doesn’t let you slide with the woe-is-me “wayward contractor” bullshit- you gots to own it or the plea is rejected.
Several folks who could have conceivably knocked him out in aprimary were talking about running when he initially ran but decided for their own reasons not to do so, and had been approached (already) about challenging him once it became apparent that he was fairly worthless. Maybe now one of them will step up now and rid Georgetown County of this RINO clown once and for all. Not holding my breath, though. Voters…
Good reporting Will. That shit for brains needs his ass kicked out of office.
Jeeze, thank you so much for telling us exactly what it is that one must say/do to be honored with the designation as a “true free market conservative”.
Didn’t read your article but thanks for posting this picture of one very beautiful girl. That smile of hers gives my morning a boost. Thanks.
Fits you are such a damn hypocrite. While you may not agree with Rep. Goldfinch’s political stances (I certainly do not), his guilt has nothing to do with actual culpability. Employers are liable under Federal Law for the misappropriation of stem cells by employees, agents or consultants, under the theories of vicarious liability and respondeat superior, even without any knowledge that said transactions are for unauthorized uses under FDA guidelines. One would think YOU, as a supposed “free market conservative”, would attack the basis for Mr. Goldfinch’s charges outright, as a willing buyer and seller should have the freedom to contract for goods without being limited by FDA regulations. At the very minimum, negligence by an employer regarding these transactions should not be a criminal act, but rather subject them to civil proceedings and fines.
Wow, dude. You sound like you really bought his claim of ignorance. Or work with him. Or you’re drunk.
I am none of those. Did you even read the facts surrounding this case or do you just follow the mob mentality like most on this site? Dammai, the doctor involved in this, has already plead guilty and is facing up to one year in prison. There is a reason why the Feds, whose convictions rates approach 97%, are only charging Goldfinch with a misdemeanor and probation. It is because they feel he is less culpable in this whole matter than Dammai. Nonetheless, the basis for Dammai’s plea is that he introduced stem cells into commerce without FDA approval. First, why is this a crime? Caledonia was in the business of selling stem cells. They were a willing buyer and Dammai was a university researcher and doctor, who represented himself to be a willing and able seller. Absent fraud, there is no reason to criminalize conduct which form the basis of free market economics. And if there is a seriously culpable party here, it is Dammai, who used his USC office and lab, the property of his employer, to essentially get rich, which any lawyer will tell you violates an agent’s duty of loyalty and exclusivity owed to the principal. But again, this is not a criminal act, it is a civil breach. Please inform yourself before you accuse one of being stupid.
Whoa Nellie…slow your roll. I did, in fact, read up on the case to the extent that a person with no inside connection could so I am as “informed” as anyone, with the possible exception of you and your boy.
If you could take Goldfinch’s cock out of your mouth long enough to actually pay attention to what I wrote as opposed to reacting to it viscerally, you may realize that you may be demonstrating a bit of the ol’ “lady dost protest too much, methinks.” By way of responding to your questions and assertions, though, I will say that you’re right about the high conviction rate in the fed system. I used to live in that system, and as I have said here before the high success rate isn’t because it’s rigged, it’s due to the design of the system; it’s not a high volume / multi-faceted system designed like a state court. By the time a case has been made, selected for prosecution, and indicted, about a kajillion sets of eyes have said that it was a winner. If the case against Goldfinch wasn’t a slam-dunk, there were a dozen or so junctures at which it would have been tossed. As for why it’s illegal, that one’s easy- because Congress says so. “Less culpable?” Absolutely. That would be why he got a better deal than his cohort Dammai, but LESS culpable doesn’t equal NOT culpable.
You’re also right in that I bet there was plenty of sleaze to go around in this deal. Dammai sounds like no upstanding dude either.
More importantly, I never called you “stupid.” I may occasionally tell people that their position is stupid, but I reserve, “You are stupid” for folks I know for certain to be, well, stupid. All I said was that you may be a loyal coworker or drunk. Drunk passes, but stupid is genetic (and permanent). Your vociferous insider defense of Goldfinch just makes my case that much more likely, I think. Nothing personal, bro, so take a deep breath.
I will say it again, I have no love for Goldfinch’s politics, so your assertions about me being tied to him are bs. My point is that the federal law under which Goldfinch will be charged is itself ridiculous, and is yet another instance of imprisonment without any moral justification. Sic, who has himself plead to the violent crime of CDV, would condemn a legislator, based solely on the negligent overseeing of his consultants. Should Sic be facing prison based upon his negligent oversight of sources or the information that they provide, especially if the information published turns out to be false? The answer is no, but he instead uses the politics of Goldfinch to manufacture a story inflaming the passions of the masses.
Or like it is him.
I was thinking that too, of course, and should’ve added it to the list.
It’s a given that Sic does not hold those he considers to be real Republicans (whatever that means) to the same standards as those he deems to be “RINOs.” I mean, what else is new? He is SOMEWHAT tuned in to corruption among the tea party types, but we all know it is rampant and he gives much of that a pass. Or says they are just old yankee fuckwads who are not real tea party, or whatever. Still, he uncovers more actual corruption than anyone else in the state, so I give him props for that.
Will his children be allowed to visit him in prison? Stephen, honey, I told you orange was not your color.
Resign, you motherfucker!
Black Friday …. we can put signs on our vehicles about this vomit – and drive around in Walmart parking lots in his district for the next couple of weekends. Tens of thousands will get the message, and they in turn will tell others what they read on these signs.
Too cute to be so bad……….
I absolutely agree with your premise Will; this was handled exceptionally well…right up until the asshat uttered this stunning piece of savvy political-speak in a Coastal Observer piece:
“Goldfinch, a Republican, was elected in 2012 without opposition in the primary or general election to the vacant seat in House District 108. He is running for a second term and said House rules won’t require a suspension. ‘Probation and a misdemeanor don’t mean a lot politically,’ he said.”
We’ll have to see if he’s right about that or not. I know a bunch of people who already believe it means a little something, especially as part of a cheesy, million dollar stem cell deal. This will play well with the rednecks, and may even piss off some of his moneyed gentry on the Neck. I can’t wait to see that quote sent out on a few thousand copies of an opponent’s card mailer! What a pompous-ass turd…
http://www.coastalobserver.com/articles/2013/112813/2.html
Can i buy a liver or kidneys from this guy? I tend to drink a lot.
And oh yeah..how you doin’, hot wife?
Pee Wee Herman got married??!!!
I wonder who will be tapping that pretty female, girl, lady, or wife in the picture while Goldfinch is being tapped in the big house. Be sure your sins will find you out.
Renee sucks cock and swallows but she only has to suck one guy to get on the College of Charleston’s board of trustees – Steve’s. Renee’s on the CofC committee to buy the CSOL — Steve’s alma mater. Steve doesn’t want CSOL to sell itself to Phoenix U. Renee-the-cocksucker works in Steve’s office. Yes, Steve really likes control. The P&C today gave Steve’s stem cell guilty plea some good head, I mean spin, today on page one. Pricks like him belong in jail.
College of Charleston Welcomes New Trustees to Board
Posted on 7 June 2013 | 3:53 pm
Seven new members have been named to the College of Charleston Board of Trustees by the South Carolina General Assembly. The new members assumed their seats on June 1.
“I am honored and pleased to welcome these new board members, and look forward to working with them in the years ahead to continue to improve and enhance the College of Charleston,” said College of Charleston Board of Trustees Chairman Greg Padgett. “I would also like to thank retiring board members Philip Bell, Jimmy Hightower, Dwight Johnson, Marie Land and Larry Miller. Each of these board members has served the College with tireless dedication and a sincere commitment to our unparalleled combination of quality academics and outstanding student experience. They truly have left their mark on the College, which is a better institution because of their service.”
The new board members are:
Renee Goldfinch (7th Congressional District)
Renee Goldfinch is a native Charlestonian. She received a B.A. from the College of Charleston in corporate communications and an M.B.A. from The Citadel. Mrs. Goldfinch serves on the Georgetown County First Steps Board and the Junior Achievement Board. She currently works with her husband at their law firm and is the Director of Children’s Ministry at her church. Mrs. Goldfinch and her husband, Stephen, live in Murrells Inlet.
More than enough people will show up at this pathological narcissistic born with a silver spoon in his mouth scumbucket’s plea hearing and speak to the court, that he needs to spend some time in prison pajamas. I am writing the judge a nice letter, myself.
… and to think, he even bullshits his own wife with tons of lies. Sad, very sad. People like him are the spawns of satan.