Corruption Scandal in Union May Broaden

Bearing in mind that charges and allegations brought against citizens, even public officials, must be proved in a court of law, local news sources in South Carolina report that the corruption scandal in the government of the City of Union may broaden.

Union Mayor Bruce Morgan and city official Jeffrey Lawson have both resigned from their positions under federal indictment for corruption. Both are charged with allegedly engaging in a kickback scheme involving the granting of government contracts.

But law enforcement agents have reportedly disclosed to local news reporters that more indictments may be handed down to other government officials in Union.

And then, there is also the broader issue of who, exactly, paid off these city officials in exchange for being given lucrative government contracts, if in fact the allegations are true.

The Union City Council will hold a special meeting today to determine the best manner to proceed through the crisis.

Mayor Morgan was scheduled to run for re-election in the Fall and was considered to be a shoo-in. With the filing deadline already passed, the Union mayoral race will be an 'open election,' meaning that all candidates will be write-in candidates, and anyone can run. The annual salary of $103,000 is considered a sweet deal that will draw many candidates.

But the City Council is considering a plan to separate the two positions of Mayor and City Administrator, which had been combined under Morgan. This would more than likely mean that the Mayor's salary would be drastically reduced.

Although the special Council meeting is considered open to the public, it will be difficult for local citizens to attend given that the Council has been in Charleston all week at a special conference, some 3 hours away.

For more information on this continually-developing story, click on the links below.

WSPA-TV News Channel 7

The Union Daily Times