AT LONG LAST … CORRUPT CABAL GETS PINCHED
Lexington County, S.C. Sheriff James Metts has been indicted by a federal grand jury on bribery charges. Meanwhile several of his underlings have been indicted by S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson for their roles in the “Lexington Ring,” a cabal of crooked cops and corrupt politicians that was relentlessly exposed in 2012-13 by this website.
The indictments were issued less than three months after this website exclusively reported on an ultimatum given to the longtime lawman by federal agents: Resign, or else.
The timing also confirms what our sources told us regarding the forthcoming indictments against Metts and other “ringleaders.”
For those of you new to this site, members of the “Lexington Ring” have been accused of running an illegal video poker operation based out of Lexington County, S.C. Apparently they had their fingers in other pies as well …
Details of the ring – including the mechanics of its operation and the cops and politicians it had on “lockdown” – were revealed in August 2012 thanks to audio recordings of part-time LCSD employee (and Lexington, S.C. town councilman) Danny Frazier.
Frazier was indicted by Wilson – along with South Congaree Police Chief Jason Amodio, who was specifically accused in the state indictment of accepting payment “in return for seized gaming machines.”
FITS was the first media outlet in the state to report on a joint state-federal raid of Amodio’s offices in May 2013 – noting that Amodio was one of the corrupt lawmen mentioned by Frazier in the audio recordings as providing protection for video poker machines run by the “Ring.”
Metts’ federal indictment did not mention the “Ring.” It simply accused him of accepting bribes in exchange for using “his position, power, and influence as Sheriff to interfere with the proper identification and processing of certain illegal aliens detained at the Lexington County Detention Center.”
It’s not immediately clear whether the illegal aliens were connected to the gambling operation, but Frazier and one other man linked to the “Ring” – Greg Leon of Lexington, S.C. – were both indicted for bribing the Sheriff.
“These indictments are the product of close cooperation among the Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, SLED, the FBI and other agencies,” Wilson said in a statement. “This ongoing federal and state partnership demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting public corruption wherever it is found.”
Details of the “Ring” were first published by The (Columbia, S.C.) Free Times and by FITS (here, here and here). Television station WIS TV 10 (NBC – Columbia, S.C.) later sunk its teeth into the story – with reporter Jody Barr filing a series of reports delving deeper into the cabal.
The “Lexington Ring” tapes were originally provided to S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley and the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) – an agency in the governor’s cabinet – but no action was taken.
Ever since this story broke nearly two years ago, rumors about the “Ring” have waxed and waned … with many believing the whole scandal would wind up getting swept under the rug (in typical Palmetto political fashion).
As we’ve noted from the beginning of our coverage of the “Ring,” we continue to believe that all forms of gambling should be legalized in South Carolina. In fact these scandals have only heightened our resolve to integrate them into the free market – eliminating the current government-run gambling monopoly (as well as all of this backdoor corruption).
115 comments
Oh, shit! I believe we might have a party!
Only reason Alan Wilson is involved is because for some individuals involved the state charges were superior. Otherwise, Wilson and the state authorities would have passed on this, like they do with so many offenders stealing from the taxpayers.
Boss Hog now has to grab his ankles and prepare for what cometh. Knotts best prepare for the exact same thing. Prison will help to … ummmm … rehabilitate? Yeah, that’s it. And then there are, of course, the others. Meanwhile, its cast in stone – Jean Toal and her cronies can not save Harrell. Maybe Harrell will be doing time in the same federal prison as Metts, et al? … *chuckles*
The hubris Metts has must be amazing…if he was offered a deal to take retirement and not be prosecuted and refused it, he is an absolute imbecile.
Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of fellows.
The Feds must not have been looking very hard. Where have they been for the last 25 years or so.
I will send ky jelly.
If the feds indicted, he’s in deep doo doo. They don’t have a 93% conviction rate by accident.
LOL. The best is yet to come. What the feds offer is you roll on 3 higher people and we will give you a slap on the wrist or we drop the hammer on you. I hope he spills the beans on everyone.
The GOP feds didn’t require Thomas Ravenel name his drug buddies, they just cut a deal that dumbfounded the sentencing judge with its failure to get ‘cooperation’ from him.
Gee, do you think Thomas could have spilled the beans about the entire SCGOP with blow up their noses?
I’m ready for all of the ring and all of their associates to go down: Frazier. Gone. Mets. Gone. Half acre. Gone Meyers? Tyndle? James? The Peelers? Cromer? You do not run with criminals, adulterers, liars, cheats, ethics violators, people of immoral character , if you are not like minded . More need to go! Then focus on Columbia, Legislature, Governor, and Congress!
How true. The Feds don’t prosecute unless they have something solid.
Well it’s about fucking time!
Just read the indictment signed by Nettles. Thought some comments on Fitsnews said that Nettles was being kept in the dark and out of the loop – were those comments in reference to this action or were they for other activities?
Junior wants to know more about the booze and sex parties. Especially photos of the whores!
You talking about Chief Shorty’s epic soirees?
I think he’s talking about the strip clubs where Metts and Knotts were reportedly walking around in nothing but their boxer shorts.
My apologies, there are so many examples of disgusting behavior out of elected (and appointed) officials around here, it’s hard to differentiate.
From the reports I read (I believe on FitsNews), someone actually had to tell Knotts to put his boxers back on. Now there’s a mental image you don’t want to have.
Word on the screet has it that his skid marks had corn and peanuts in them.
–now THAT is a very CORRUPT statement!
No JJ, that’s a DISGUSTING statement… as it was intended to be.
On to more recent stripper news, I wonder how things are in the T-Bone household tonight after the testimony today that Benjamin was with the SCSU group that had a special private meeting with strippers.
I bet his “Judge” wife is not happy about that. LOL!
Yeah, that’s vomit inducing.
And now we wait….
whut if Jimmy decides to squeal…..there’d be lots of vacancies at the state house fo’ shu!
I bet someone has already beat him to it, I think this is going to be bigger than most people think. Throw in T-Bone’s involvement with the Trustee from SCSU and hopefully we’re looking at something along the lines of Operation Lost Trust.
How the Feds missed Haley is beyond belief.
She has her behind knee deep in the pile of manure.
Jean Toal has more power at SLED than Haley ever thought about. She pulled the plug on this investigation at SLED, not Haley. The Feds quit on Jakie K because he was no longer worth the effort when he lost. The question is what did Richard Breibart tell? Will Toal’s # 1 spy and protected lawyer in Lexington County Jahue Moore go down also? Breibart is pissed and thinks Moore turned on him. Thank God the Feds finally did SOMETHING.
I’ve known Jahue Moore for decades.
He’s a very honest and forth right person who is very interested in representing the little guy. Yes, he represents several cities, Irmo, etc. But, they can investigate all they like. They will find nothing on Jahue Moore. Now, Jean Toal’s another story. Her office has been up for sale since the 1990s.
I don’t know what you have been smoking. Either you don’t have a clue what your talking about or you are him or related to him…….there is one word that does NOT describe that low life scum- “Honest “. I can think of three words…PIECE OF SHIT!
The same way they missed Mayor Benji. Also interesting is the timing – just when the Pinson trial is going on. Haven’t figured that one out yet.
I had the chance to meet Major Benjamin, individually, one afternoon in the Vista at Lunch. I’d never met the man. He came off to me as a very likable, young man with a lot of enthusiasm for the City and his job. He carried himself with respect for others and to me. I only hope that my first impression is the right impression, and that he was not involved in an illegal land development scam. Honesty is the number one most important thing to have in a government official.
The very best “at it” are the ones that seem so unlikely to be a part of it. I had a very close up view with a business partner who was reared in a Fortune 100 company. When he stared going bad nobody would believe me so I ultimately cashed in and left. Fast forward a few years and one by one all of the key players have run for cover, the bankers that backed him are losing their jobs and the partners and managers are getting their ass handed to them. To a person they all say that this guy was the last one that they expected to ever cheat. As for the Mayor, can’t say. Pinson was a neighbor of mine but I do not know him. What I do know is that the neighborhood / development has some very “interesting” characters in it and I can’t make the connection unless it is tied to some development structure. To say the least some of the guys there make Pinson look like a rookie at corruption if the charges are true.
You mean like the respect he showed WIS’s Jody Barr when Jody was simply trying to do his job? Gullible much?
Ever heard of a successful con-man who wasn’t a polished and slick talker?
He even wears cowboy boots. No lie.
T-Bone is being protected.
— and that is STANDING!
Such a Libertarian fantasy, that here could ever be gambling free from government oversight.
Libertarians are not smart.
The possibility that we may no longer have San Jose restaurants in the area is the most shocking and disturbing part of today’s breaking news.
They will still be there, but you might have to get used to noodles and rice.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Speedy Gonzalez or Number 5 special please.
Rumor going around Metts set up deal with Newberry College to teach a class for
law enforcement officers. Every student he signed up he received a commission.
The Governor selected the right man in Lewis McCarty to appoint as sheriff and I am delighted for the citizens of Lexington County that he is willing to serve. Many of us who have been around law enforcement knew this indictment was coming and have all said the Chief McCarty was the one person who could instantly restore credibility back to the LCSD.
I don’t agree with her on much but she made the right call here.
I have had the pleasure of meeting him. He did indeed seem like a decent gentleman. I am just a little uneasy at him being appointed as interim in that he was Chief Deputy under Metts at one time. I’m not speaking ill of him, but even the remote possibility that he may be tainted by his association with Metts is a little disturbing with regard to that decision.
I always thought he actually ran the Dept for years!!!
Affirmative! McCarty was the force behind the Department and it’s success and good reputation, in spite of Metts. I would trust McCarty, the same as Chief Strom another honest, truthful and honorable Law Enforcement Officer .
From the dude representing Harrell. LMAO!!
Scumbags representing scumbags!
Amen to that! McCarty made the Sheriffs dept an honorable organization . When he left Metts and Tim James ruined it.
He only lost paperwork for friends of law enforcement community.
Some will say just about anything to get their name in print. Desperate indeed. We know Mr. McCarty is a fine man with an impeccable record. We don’t need a sleeze-ball attorney to tell us what is already known.
Truth be known there are lawyers involved but will not be prosecuted because of their positions in these matters. Americas government is more corrupt than any Third World countries and I have lost faith in all of them. I personally would not convict anyone of anything less that something brutal until this changes. We have crooks and thieves leeading the country.
It’s not so much gambling/profit/graft, but the power brokering and other corruption that must have accompanied it.
Where is Jake Knott’s? Is he the squealer?
As in Deliverance?
Could be.
How many indictments are for people who have contributed to Brad Hutto and others in the General Assembly
oh goodness gracious…for God’s sake just go ahead and indict all SC Politicians, Sheriffs, etc…This reads better than any novel like this I have ever read. So much corruption, all while honest people in the state and country and trying survive.
This is what happens when these people are in office tooooo long . They think they are elected emperor or empress(Haley) and are above the laws , reelected by a bunch of lemming idiots! Some are corrupted sooner than others (Obama, Haley).
The longest serving Sheriff stayed far toooo long. Term limits friends, term limits!!!!
We don’t need to elect sheriffs.
They need to be hired so they can be fired.
Will the James R. Metts Law Enforcement Center’s name be changed, Will the James R. Metts Boat Landing be closed, where will the illicit gay encounters happen? Inquiring minds want to know.
Never ever name anything for someone alive
Person should be dead at least 100 years before their name goes on any public building/grounds/.highway/overpass/bike path/porta johfn
Jim Clyburn strongly disagrees.
Not many people know this but Tango and me went there on our first date. There is a belief by gay men that if you both picture Jimmy in his boxer shorts while making love at the landing that you will be together forever. So far it has worked for me and Tango.
Are you hinting that Jimmy will have to wear a second bullet proof vest over his ass during the perp walk?
kevlar butt plug
+10 — ha! ha!
When and where will the “perp waddle” be?
Jimmie and Jakie together in the perp walk —- Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.
“perp waddle”
.
Excellent!
Since its all about public corruption look no further then the Lexington Town Police Chief and his cronies. How many tickets have been dismissed for King-Fish and Half-wit? Frazier, with the help of a sergeant, unarrested his oldest daughter while handcuffed and in the back of a police cruiser. Ask the Chief, he knew all about it.
Many! I know people who openly bragged about the number of tickets they had fixed! Bet Halfacre, Peeler, Meyers and others are crying in their beer !
Will Lexington County Sheriff’s Department cease encrypting their radio traffic at some point in the future if Jimmy should be permanently ousted? With him gone, they shouldn’t have anything to hide from the public as they now apparently do.
There useto be a private security company owner who was friends with Metts who had one of our radios and he could listen and talk on our radio system. The company moved from Richland County to Lexington and I think the owner still has a Lexington County sheriffs radio that works. The last time I knew for sure the security company owner had it was about 2 years ago.
That was Kenneth Robinson Senior and he still has a sheriff’s radio.
He’s had it for years. Other police agencies couldn’t get the codes for Metts radio but a security company owner and PI has it. He used to own SC Security Enforcement Agency. Some said he was a bag man for Metts.
Well damn. For once Fits was right. Still waiting for his book.
As Senior Editor for Lackluster Library Touch ‘n Tell Books, I will share with you the following information:
a) We have been in possession of the first draft of this book for many
months.
b) We are in the process of resolving with the author several matters regarding content.
c) For example, we are attempting to educate the author in the matter of “chapters,” in the sense that each new paragraph does not constitute a new chapter.
d) Another issue is the author’s curious sense for the title of his book. We do not believe that either “How to Ball Without a Chain” or “New Uses for Old Friends” would be an appropriate title.
Once these, and other pertinent issues, are resolved readers will be thrilled with this future blockbuster
ROFLMAO
First of all, good police work! LoL
Since they indicted there own, watch out for the left hook. I can see wholesale roundups of the criminal class to assuage their feelings of loss and angst…starting with the loudest at Fits.
We miss you Jimmy. We are putting on weight not having you around.
You can dish it out but can’t take it.
When you curl up into a ball tonight thinking about losing your reputation, friends, going to prison, remember this, therapy will not help you but maybe a good ass kicking will. Even if you do no time, your ass was just kicked from one end of town to the other. Do not forget that.
You did not come from a broken family. Your parents weren’t drug addicts or alcoholics. You were not beaten. You were not sexually molested. You did not have to turn to drugs or alcohol to medicate the feelings of loneliness, hurt, bitterness, abandonment, disparaged despair. This makes your crimes that much more despicable.
Jimmy was under investigation for some time. He knew this. His attorney and himself were apprised every step of the way. When the authorities had the evidence to indict, I can’t believe his attorney did not take “retirement” for her client and opted instead for “or else”.
This disrespect, this arrogance against the very authority you upheld for 42 years is beyond despicable. Your mind is not right. You chose the path you must follow, not your upbringing.
For what?
I will be on hand when they take your name off the Lexington County Law Enforcement Complex not because I hate you, but because I despise you have become. Many law enforcement veterans before you, your contemporaries beside you withstood the test with honor and distinction, you did not. Fix it for your sake.
Interesting link. By the PDF, it looks like Frazier rolled over on Metts.
Among others!
I can’t wait to see what sorta songs Metts is going to start singing, and about who. This should only be the very beginning of the “ripening” of this saga. All the cockroaches should be running around trying to hide from the light.
Including the biggest cockroach, Darren Rogers, Frazier’s party buddy.
Illegal immigration a crime for Metts, but slick politics for Obama? Metts’ indictment poses a dilemma for the media. Why is illegal immigration OK for Obama, but a crime for Metts?
Read more: http://scdigest.blogspot.com
Damn if that site doesn’t remind me of the 90s. What is that: HTML 2?
The English alphabet (which, along w/ literacy is all that matters) has been around much longer than that Dumb@$$…I guess you hate that too.
Not to mention: if you saw the hit-count numbers, you’d likely $#!&* all over yourself.
Wonder who in this Lexington Ring is going to be the tell-all? Bet the two Fatboys will squeal the loudest…..orange is not their color either……LMAO!!!!!
There should be a number of top city and law enforcement dogs in Richland County that are shitting themselves today. Wonder how fat those envelopes full of money need to be to keep Mett’s from talking?
If it is to save his own butt from Fleece Johnson, I doubt there are enough fat, money-stuffed, envelopes in the world to buy his silence. More likely, rather than a carrot, they will be using a stick, such as threats of harm to him or those close to him to buy his silence.
When organized crime is very lucrative for those at the top, they will do anything to maintain their power and cash flow.
Can anyone tell me what the reflection above 3? is?
Looks like reflection from neon beer sign in background
Tracking it backward using Google Images, it is one of a series of photos from a site teaching how to play. Nearly all photos shown inside video parlors have reflections from other machines, lights, signs, etc. I’m guessing that the mixture of lights, reflections and colors make it impossible to get a ‘clean’ shot. I was hoping that this one was the reflection of Jimmy.
Slightly off topic, but how the hell is Steve Benjamin not on trial at this point given all that has come out about him?
He takes a morning tub bath in Wesson Oil
Ain’t nothing going to stick on him
Has anyone published the indictment in full?
Check this link out….
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/Metts-Indictment.pdf
We wonder how close these machines were located to a GAS Station…!?
Wonder if Wil Folks can whip out a Google Earth MAP…?
Who are the landlords for the property these machines were located on…? What was their monthly RENT…?
What insurance company insured the buildings…??? Who did the insurance company pay campaign “donations” too…?
Philip, you sure do ask a lot of questions without providing any answers!
I ‘am wondering why illegal Mexican restaurant workers were so valuable that Metts would piss away his life? I do believe more to this deal will be forth coming at trial.
Allow me to help. You must remember the payroll charges with revenue.
Mexican restaurants are huge cartels. At one time they were all controlled by a guy they called the Black Pope who owned the food distribution and the coyote routes. Anyway, notice that the illegals were all picked up by West Columbia Police. They may have been building their slave stable.
1) Get illegal employee arrested.
2) Get illegal released
3) Pay $500 to get illegal arrested and released.
4) Tell illegal, who probably just finished paying off his coyote fees by working for sub-standard wages and living in a slum with 20 other restaurant employees, that his release cost $5000.
5) Said illegal works off the debt over say 10-20 weeks depending on his arrangement.
6) Now, go to a local Mexican restaurant at an odd hour. Just before lunch hour, just after lunch hour, etc and look over in the bar area or at a table in the back. Usually there are 5 or 6 sitting there eating a standard meal. It’s part of their paycheck.
Human trafficking is ugly and this is just one of the tricks that they use.
Scotty…..we are sure you have used your iphone to record this TRUTH to be used in a court of law. Right..?
….be ready to be crossed examined in front of a jury about your very own landscape workers…!!
Scotty….dare to wonder how many landscapers are known by Bryan Crabtree in the Charleston area alone…?
Scotty…..how would you use WTMA in a cross examination in front of a Jury…??
Speaking of organized crime, aren’t there enough people involved in this stuff to go RICO?
Wonder how many of the GOOD OLD BOYS are sweating bullets today as to who is going to be the next one to get indicted????? Will Metts tell all or Frazier or Both??????
“sweating bullets” — perhaps one or a few may take a bullet:
This is another illustration of where the SCGOP is today. They’ve been in power for so long they feel they are no longer accountable to voters and can do anything they want. Just look at Harrell.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
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Hallelujah!! (had to ‘Google the spelling on this one)
.
Thanks, Danny Frazier, it couldn’t have been done without you.
.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Does it really take rocket science to figure out the ” Ole Boy Republican Game in SC ” , If the playing field were level, half of these idiots, including, Haley, Harrell, Keel, and MANY others would be vaporized. People, let the state move forward ! Pubs just keep the state one-sided. It’s way too boring. SLED should be on the ” chopping block ” a worthless waste of money. I can name many more, Tango.
And Dumbocrats are better in what way?
The people of Lexington County who voted election after election of James Metts for the past 42 years have no one but themselves to blame for this mess. No one in their right mind would want any public official to hold an office that long, no matter how “effective” they are.
No one should be shocked that Metts would use his office for personal gain and God knows what else…by constantly electing him those who voted for him gave him their blessing!! if he did do this there isn’t no telling how many people he has railroaded and sold up the river on trumped up evidence and charges.
Are there any stats on how well sheriffs get along with the general population in prison?
Sad day in Lexington.
WOW! are the Good Old Boys in trouble or what? Who will be the first to tell all…….