Three former SCDOT employees plead guilty in public corruption investigation

Three former South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) employees have pleaded guilty to charges of corruption in a kickback scheme that goes back several years, according to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Charges were filed last summer, alleging bribery, conspiracy and in one case stolen property.

The pleas, listed in a release by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office include:

Joe Edward Butler, former SCDOT inspector, pleaded guilty to:

• Four counts of receiving anything of value to influence action of public employee, in violation of section 8-13-705 of the South Carolina Ethics Act; and
• Acceptance of rebates or extra compensation, in violation of section 16-9-230.

Allen Kent Ray, former SCDOT contractor, pleaded guilty to:

• Accessory after the fact to criminal conspiracy, in violation of section 16-17-410; and
• Offering money for advice or assistance of public official, in violation of section 8-13-720 of the South Carolina Ethics Act.

Curtis C. Singleton, former head of SCDOT’s signal shop in District 1, pleaded guilty to:

• Use of official position or office for financial gain, in violation of section 8-13-700 of the South Carolina Ethics Act;
• Receiving anything of value to influence action of public employee, in violation of section 8-13- 705 of the South Carolina Ethics Act;
• Official misconduct in office; in violation of the common law of South Carolina;
• Acceptance of rebates or extra compensation, in violation of section 16-9-230;
• Four counts of receiving anything of value to influence action of public employee, in violation of section 8-13-705 of the South Carolina Ethics Act;
• Official misconduct in office, in violation of the common law of South Carolina; and
• Acceptance of rebates or extra compensation, in violation of section 16-9-230. Sentencing is deferred for cooperation until resolution of existing or possible future codefendants.

“The SCDOT acknowledges the guilty pleas entered by two former employees who were involved in stealing traffic signal equipment from SCDOT and selling them for personal financial gain,” SCDOT says in a statement. “This has been an ongoing, multi-year investigation after allegations of wrong-doing were reported by the agency to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). SCDOT thanks SLED for its assistance to date in this matter. SCDOT takes fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer funds seriously and will continue to cooperate with SLED and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office until this matter is brought to a conclusion.”