Swansea in the news again

[Rockatansky]

To A-B,

I am sorry that I may have come across a little strong to you. Looking over your past post, I can see where you are a Jake supporter and that is perfectly ok. All I want and I am sure the public and Jake would agree for this and other allegations for a Senator, deparment heads, employees to be investigated of any wrong doing on anyone's part that could have Obstructed Justice in Christopher Phillips' criminal case or any other kind of cases to the point that it constitutes a crime. Everyone deserves to be free from anyone abusing their position to the degree it interferes with a criminal investigation or causes someone their job because an employee just wanted to do what they felt was right and within the law. So please accept my apology A-B, and look forward to having more discussions with you in the future.

[better days]

Rock I wouldn't worry to much about slander in this case. If the person is guilty he would have to prove himself innocent which makes for a foolish move on the part of a person who seldom makes foolish moves but in my IMHO is a fool none the less.

[zoomru]

ROCK.....follow the Waste Management campaign funding PAYOLA..!!

This is going to be great to watch...that is if a reporter has the GUTS to look deeper than his wimpy editor allows...!! The fiasco over at DHEC is just getting started. Between the SKIM off of the Methane Tapping Landfills and the so-called enviro-FRONTS getting foundation funding to re-funnel campaign donations there is an ATOM Bomb ticking with-in the statehouse. Knotts is just the tip of the TITANIC Iceberg.!!!! When our citizens are educated to the fact that information has been withheld on purpose in permitting LANDFILLS ...alone !! LOOK-OUT !!!
We have Plasma technology available to make Landfills Obsolete. Read at www.startech.net.
or watch...
http://laskyfilms.com/startech/movies/co...

No mention of this technology was made to the public in Cherokee County on that Landfill trying to get a permit by Waste Management and None other than BOB PEELER. Who is related to Harvey Peeler in the statehouse and Boone Peeler on City Council. They told residents it would generate energy for 13k homes but in fact it will be used to give a Methane Lollipop to a business in exchange for CAMPAIGN FUNDS.!! AND....at who's expense....that's right ...WE THE TAXPAYERS of South Carolina !!!

Not only in losing out on Generating Tax revenue off of OUR Trash and Closing Landfills ..FOREVER !! We still would pay to have DHEC Monitor all those wells around the landfill til kingdom come!!

This is grounds for a CLASS ACTION Lawsuit ...for a savvy LAWYER !!

ROCK.....when has DHEC called a presser to inform the public of ANY improper legislative shenanigans...??? WHEN ??

or...better yet....elected officials disregard of the PUBLIC WELFARE or environment !!!

[Rockatansky]

People have come to accept these kind of wrong doings as long as they can believe that it will never happen to them. If some want to keep looking the other way, I say good, but by doing that sooner or later it will happen to you, if we as the public sit back and not insist that a proper and independant investigation is conducted free of polictical influence when allegations such as these are brought to our attention.

If what the DHEC investigator is saying is true about a State Senator getting involved in a criminal investigation to the point that he was interfered with and not allowed to completely perform his job duties and enforce the law, then everyone needs to take that serious and investigate all that was involved in that case to clear anyone who has not done any wrong and charge the ones that have.

If no one has done anything wrong to include this Senator, then none sould be worried about being investigated for Obstruction of Justice or Misconduct while in Office. But I will have to agree with A-B that a federal agency needs to investigate the possiblity of any and all criminal acts. that way the integrity of that investigation is protected and if there was Obstruction of Justice in that DHEC case or any other cases, that Senator or others would have a difficult time Obtsructing Justice in their own cases.

We as a public can keep tip-toeing around the issue or we can get down to it and do what is proper and correct.

First, former DHEC's Investigator, Christopher Phillips, sues DHEC and makes the allegations that top DHEC officials and a State Legislator interfered with his criminal investigation that resulted in him being demoted to a non-investigative position and that he was not allowed to obtain arrest warrants in his case because of these individuals interference.

Second, we as a public have the right to know who this Legislator is.

Third, have these top DHEC officials and Senator investigated for possible Obstruction of Justice in this investigator's criminal case by a federal agency.

Finally, if there is evidence that this Senator Obstructed Justice in the DHEC's criminal investigation, are there anymore cases that he has done the same in?

[anti-babble]

Originally Posted by Rockatansky

To A-B,

I am sorry that I may have come across a little strong to you. Looking over your past post, I can see where you are a Jake supporter and that is perfectly ok. All I want and I am sure the public and Jake would agree for this and other allegations for a Senator, deparment heads, employees to be investigated of any wrong doing on anyone's part that could have Obstructed Justice in Christopher Phillips' criminal case or any other kind of cases to the point that it constitutes a crime. Everyone deserves to be free from anyone abusing their position to the degree it interferes with a criminal investigation or causes someone their job because an employee just wanted to do what they felt was right and within the law. So please accept my apology A-B, and look forward to having more discussions with you in the future.

You are mistaken in where my allegiance falls. I know more about this situation and others that this person has been rumored to have been involved in than you will ever know. I would hate to see that person being given cause to subpeona the records of this sight. The information that he gained about the posters on here would be used against them and he would seek to destroy those people.

I do have respect for the tenacity that this person has in defending his opinions and his constituents but I also believe that he sometimes crosses boundries in doing this.

[Rockatansky]

Zoomru, I completely hear what you are saying. Enough is enought!!! These elected officials must be held to a higher standard. People or losing faith in our system of goverment only because too many see what elected officials get away with and the lives they destroy without being held criminally accountable for.

And Zoomru, is that the same Startech Inc. that Senator Jake Knotts served as a director for the Southern Region, where the Vice President of Startech Inc, Weldon Waites, used $530,000.00 of company money to purchase a beach condo in South Carolina and also used company money to pay the morgage on his yacht?

Weldon Waits served five years in prison for money laundering and bank fraud in the 1990's. After some research, I found that Congress held hearings on Startech Inc. and Vice President Weldon Waites in June of 2007. Also in Senator Jake Knotts' biography on the South Carolina Legislature online, it has him listed as the Director of the Southern Region for Startech Inc.

[zoomru]

Rock....

The company at www.startech.net is out of Bristol Conn. and to my knowledge has nothing to do with the Southern Region with Startech Inc.

....I have not come across Mr. Knotts name in any dealings concerning the company in Bristol Conn.

..I would like any info on the other hanky going on. Stunts like this by elected officials do wonders for the general progress of OUR state in general.

We elect these people to abide by the LAWS they write to begin with..!!

[theloneranger]

The problem we have here....Is one of many...but most importantly...When you have a State Agency investigating another State Agency or official ('s)... Who do we believe and How do we know what has been kept from the publics eye. Things are constantly swept under a rug to hide the truth. This is why the news media needs to have access to all records and be allowed to investigate this matter in the publics forum. I really dont care about the person being accused of using influence. What I am concerned with are the environmental and health effects it has and will cause. Why in the world would someone get involved in such terrible things. GREED is such a dirty word. Power is another and Arrogance is the silent killer of all.

[zoomru]

Rock and Ranger......!!

I'll join you all to take on the so called "WILLIAM WALLACE CAUCUS"...!!

MY BACKSIDE !!!!!

from what I've read ....they are WILLIEs !!!! I've not seen one of them rip off a shirt and MARCH on DHEC ??!!
Call a PRESS conference on ...WHAT ?????????

Have they inspired the citizens of this state to do ANYThing ??!?!?

....OR EDUCATE THEM ON THE ...truth !!!!???

Its time to light a FIRE ...across this state to the TRUTH !!!


TAXPAYER ...FIRST .....or die !!!

[Rockatansky]

Chief Reggie Lloyd is showing great leadership. He wants to focus on investigating serious crimes. I would believe that the majority of citizens would agree that a State Senator possibly obstructing justice is a serious crime. I am changing my position on having a state agency investigate public corruption and obstructing justice when it comes to the claims of Lexington County Senator possible interference with DHEC's investigator's criminal case that resulted in Christopher Phillips losing his job due to people like a Senator interfering with a criminal investigation. I believe now that as long as Chief Reggie Lloyd himself worked with Federal agencies in this investigation, it would be difficult for a State Senator or others to obstruct justice in their own case.

[Rockatansky]

While the end of 2008 is coming to an end, there is great hope in 2009 for all the people that have been wronged by certain politicians of what I am hearing. All I can say at this time, is justice is coming to those public officials and public it will be.

To the good and honest citizens have faith in GOD and know he will take care of the evil.

To the corrupt public officials, it is alway calm before the storm come crashing down.

[Captain Worley]

Do you really believe that Max (I'm wondering how many people get the Rockatansky reference)? I'd like to believe you're right, but I have no faith in it happeneing.

[Rockatansky]

It is just a shame that you don't have faith that justice will be done to those people that purposely do others wrong just because they are in a position to it. The holiday seasons are about believing and having faith or you can sit back and do nothing and that is exactly what will happen. While others may want to see nothing happen to the corrupt public officals, I for one want them stopped.

[Captain Worley]

Oh, I want to see them stopped, I just have no faith that they will be punished in any way.

[swampfox]

Do you think maybe we were given these big brains so that we could at least HELP take care of our own problems.

Worms can have faith, I imagine, that whatever will be, will be. Humans have a higher capability than that. I do not mean that we are completely on our own, but what is being described here is not much different from being a pet animal.

[Rockatansky]

Help!!! Not ignore that there are corrupt politicans such as the Senator who may have obstructed justice by directly causing this DHEC investigator to be removed from a criminal case, if not fired from his job. This is not an isolated incident from this Senator. He is the one who wants to think of people as his pet animals and when they do not obey his command, he does whatever he can to eliminate anyone who does not agree to doing his wrongs even if it means obstructing justice or abusing his power.

[Rockatansky]

It seems that our most shady senator has been hidding, but Tuesday he will be crawling out from under his rock to go back into session.

[Rockatansky]

TheState.com


Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009

Knotts denies meddling in DHEC

Ex-agent says he was reassigned after elected officials complained about dumping probe

By SAMMY FRETWELL - sfretwell@thestate.com




State Sen. Jake Knotts says he complained to South Carolina’s environmental protection agency about “unprofessional” conduct by one of its criminal investigators.
But the Lexington County Republican said he didn’t tell anyone to drop a criminal probe the investigator was conducting.
In a federal lawsuit, the former agent, Christopher D. Phillips, claims he was stripped of his duties and assigned to another position after “one or more state elected officials” complained in 2007 about a toxic waste dumping investigation of their “friends.” The suit said the complaint chilled the probe.


The suit does not identify any elected official, and Phillips and his lawyer, Lewis Cromer of Columbia, declined to reveal names.
Other state senators and representatives from Lexington County say they did not complain about Phillips’ criminal investigation near Swansea. But Knotts said he did forward complaints from residents about Phillips to the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Knotts said he hoped the lawsuit did not refer to him. Knotts, an ex-police officer, emphasized that he did not ask DHEC to drop the case or discipline the investigator. Knotts said that would be a “stupid” thing for a legislator to do.
Interfering with a criminal probe can be illegal.
A search warrant says Phillips’ investigation involved illegal dumping near Swansea, but Knotts also said he had heard complaints about Phillips’ conduct in Richland County.
“I’ve seen the type. He creates his own problems,” Knotts said, adding, “There is a cowboy style of law enforcement, and there is professional law enforcement. The cowboy style is you believe everybody that you arrest deserves the death penalty.”
All he did was pass along complaints, which is his duty as a lawmaker, Knotts said. He would not say how many people complained to him or provide more details about the concerns.
Cromer said it doesn’t matter who the state official was or what he said — it’s how DHEC reacted.
“My concern was ... that they would listen to such rumors and act to deprive one of their best investigators of his lifetime job,’’ Cromer said.
DHEC officials have denied the allegations in official responses to the suit. They say they did not drop the dumping investigation. They note the criminal case has been passed to the Attorney General’s office for possible prosecution.
Questions about legislators’ influence over DHEC surfaced last year during a series of stories in The State newspaper about missteps at the agency. Critics say DHEC is too vulnerable to legislative influence and needs an overhaul. The agency, not directly accountable to the governor, is overseen by a part-time, seven-member board that appoints an agency commissioner.
Other members of Lexington County’s legislative delegation told The State that they had not complained to DHEC about Phillips’ conduct in the Swansea probe. That includes the Swansea area’s Rep. Kit Spires, a Republican, and the area’s senator, Nikki Setzler, a Democrat.

THE LAWSUIT
Phillips, 36, is a former investigator with the state Attorney General’s office, a former S.C. Highway Patrol trooper and a former deputy with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. During his 14-year law enforcement career, he has been recognized for efforts to catch drunken drivers, stop illegal dumping and assist with toxic waste cleanups, records show.
He filed suit Nov. 19 against DHEC deputy commissioner Bob King, assistant deputy commissioner Jim Joy and investigations director Michael Tempel. The suit claims Phillips’ civil rights and First Amendment rights were violated. It seeks $500,000, plus unspecified punitive damages.
“I don’t wish him any ill will,’’ Knotts said. “But obviously, if he’s filing a lawsuit because of this, he must still have an attitude problem.’’
Phillips’ lawsuit says he ran afoul of DHEC’s top management because of his efforts to stop illegal dumping. Separate court records show dumping was suspected near Swansea, in southern Lexington County.
The suit says Phillips was removed from the case after he sought permission from his supervisors in fall 2007 to obtain an arrest warrant for three people suspected of illegal dumping. DHEC’s Tempel and Joy later told him at least one state elected official wanted him disciplined or fired, the suit says. Phillips was transferred to another DHEC division a year later, in August 2008.
The suit gives no reason why his supervisors would have waited a year to move him. Phillips, a native of Washington, D.C., lives in Elgin.
Personnel records provided by Cromer, Phillips’ attorney, show a career filled with good job reviews and commendations.
In his 2007-08 evaluation, Phillips received a rating of 4.5-5.0, considered “outstanding” and the highest overall rating. He had similar high marks in evaluations dating to his hiring in 2003, according to personnel records.
Phillips also at least twice won the agency’s monthly Award for Excellence.
“Employees such as you exemplify the values and visions of the agency,” DHEC board chairman Bo Aughtry said in a Sept. 1, 2008, letter to Phillips, lauding his team work on the cleanup and investigation of a toxic waste spill near Spartanburg.
Paul Cavanaugh, a retired FBI agent who hired Phillips to work at DHEC in 2003, said he can’t understand why Phillips has run into trouble with anyone. He described Phillips as a professional, hardworking and astute law enforcement officer. Cavanaugh hired Phillips away from the attorney general’s office.
“Chris was an excellent cop,” Cavanaugh said. “I’m very high on him.”

A CONFRONTATION
Despite the good reviews, Phillips was given a written reprimand in July 2008 after DHEC officials “fabricated and embellished a story’’ about him, the suit says.
DHEC officials declined to comment on details of the case.
Phillips’ troubles began in spring 2007. That’s when he obtained a warrant to search for evidence of illegal dumping several miles outside Swansea. The work involved taking videos and digging for evidence of illegal disposal. He later sought permission from top DHEC officials to pursue an arrest warrant for three men suspected of being involved in the disposal but was stopped, the suit says.
Court records show asbestos found on the Swansea site was similar to material that was reported missing from an old cabin that was razed for the town of Swansea. But the property where the debris was found was not permitted for waste disposal, according to the search warrant.
Asbestos is a toxic material that can increase a person’s chances of lung cancer and breathing disorders if stirred up. That’s why a licensed contractor should be hired to remove asbestos from buildings. The material also must be disposed of in an approved landfill. That, however, can cost money and take time.
Phillips’ search for asbestos sparked a confrontation with Jake Moore, an attorney who was called to the scene by property owners the day of the Swansea raid. Moore, who represents some of the landowners, said DHEC caused an unnecessary uproar in the community.
“You should have seen it,” Moore said. “It looked like the FBI. They had these tight-fitting T-shirts on that said: ‘DHEC criminal investigation unit.’ They had the track hoe out there, and the moon suits. And they were having a big old time, digging.”
“I did have some right heated words with the DHEC folks on the scene that day.”
Knotts said he “might have” received a complaint from Moore about DHEC. Moore said he could not remember if he called Knotts.
Knotts said he doesn’t have any qualms about passing on his concerns to DHEC — or any agency — when he gets complaints about a staff member. Public employees should be friendly and courteous to the people they serve, he said.
“The issue is the attitude of the public servant,” Knotts said. “If I get a call on him tomorrow, I’m going to do the same damned thing.”
Reach Fretwell at (803) 771-8537.

No Senator Knotts, the issue is you Obstructing Justice in this investigator's criminal investigation!

[us 378]

[quote]Phillips, 36, is a former investigator with the state Attorney General’s office, a former S.C. Highway Patrol trooper and a former deputy with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. [quote]

He had similar high marks in evaluations dating to his hiring in 2003

Sure is a lot of former's in this guys resume before the age of 31.

[Rockatansky]

No more former positions than Jakie Knotts has; former columbia police officer, former investigator with Richland Co. Corner's office, former civil processor, former State Rep., etc. Soon to be we hope, former State Senator.

[Sarge]

Formers are pretty much the norm for our public servants. Look at our esteemed SLED chief, I think it is 5 formers in a two year period.

With regard to the Senator and DHEC, I am reminded of an old saying from my Mom, Cream rises to the top of the churn........ Or was it scum rises to the top of the pond. Or was it a combination of the two?

Can't remember, but I think I am close.

[Captain Worley]

Swansea isn't even in Ole Jakie's district, it is Setzler's. It's gonna be interesting to watch.

The Log Cabin is dead! Long live the Log Cabin!

[anti-babble]

Unless the feds step in and investigate, the location of the asbestos will never be verified.

Unless the feds step in and investigate, the alleged obstruction will never be known.

[Rockatansky]

I have been informed that depositions are being taking in the lawsuit of Investigator Christoher Phillips that involved Senator Jakie Knotts possibly obstructing justice in his criminal case. Let the Fedaerals get a hold of thoses transcripts.