Former Union, South Carolina Mayor Bruce Morgan pleaded guilty Tuesday in a corruption scandal in which he and the city's zoning director accepted bribes for awarding lucrative city contracts.
The City's former zoning director Jeff Lawson also entered a guilty plea.
The big news of the day, however, is that the FBI disclosed that the whole thing was a sting operation set up by the agency in response to an anonymous tip.
Union city zoning director Jeff Lawson was the first to get caught accepting a bribe after the FBI had set up a hidden microphone during one of the bribe transactions. At that point Lawson agreed to wear a hidden microphone in order to catch his partner in crime, Bruce Morgan.
Mayor Morgan resigned his position the day the indictments were handed down. Lawson did not immediately resign but was placed on administrative leave by the city. He was later fired.
Both men face up to 40 years in prison for the corruption scandal. It is not immediately known when the sentencing hearing will take place.
Neither of the 2 men had any statement for the media following today's hearing.
Showing posts with label Union Mayor Bruce Morgan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Union Mayor Bruce Morgan. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Morgan Pleads Not Guilty, Gets Continuance
Former Union, South Carolina Mayor Bruce Morgan pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges stemming from an alleged kickback scheme in which Morgan was paid cash for granting government contracts to businesses.
Morgan resigned from office the day the charges were handed down.
Both Morgan and former Union zoning director Jeff Lawson were scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, but their attorneys requested a continuance in order to have more time to prepare for the hearing.
The attorney for Morgan stated that his client has no plans to change his not guilty plea.
Morgan resigned from office the day the charges were handed down.
Both Morgan and former Union zoning director Jeff Lawson were scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, but their attorneys requested a continuance in order to have more time to prepare for the hearing.
The attorney for Morgan stated that his client has no plans to change his not guilty plea.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Morgan, Lawson Arraigned in Court, Await Trial
Former Union, South Carolina Mayor Bruce Morgan and former zoning manager Jeff Lawson were arraigned in a federal court in Greenville on charges of extortion.
Morgan's bond was set at $25,000, which was immediately secured by his wife, Vicki Morgan.
Lawson's bond was set at $25,000 non-surety, meaning he did not have to guarantee money or property to post bond.
Both men thus remain out of jail awaiting trial. Further hearings in the case have been set for August 20.
Morgan and Lawson are charged with accepting kickbacks from contractors in exchange for the granting of lucrative city contracts, which is a felony.
For the complete story on the arraignment, click HERE to see the front-page story in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal as posted on their website, GoUpstate.com.
Morgan's bond was set at $25,000, which was immediately secured by his wife, Vicki Morgan.
Lawson's bond was set at $25,000 non-surety, meaning he did not have to guarantee money or property to post bond.
Both men thus remain out of jail awaiting trial. Further hearings in the case have been set for August 20.
Morgan and Lawson are charged with accepting kickbacks from contractors in exchange for the granting of lucrative city contracts, which is a felony.
For the complete story on the arraignment, click HERE to see the front-page story in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal as posted on their website, GoUpstate.com.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
UNION COUNCIL CHANGES GOV'T (UPDATE)
The City of Union, South Carolina is in for a change in its form of government.
In a decision made by the Union City Council at a special called meeting late Tuesday afternoon, the city has opted to hire a full-time administrator, separating the position from the Mayor's position.
The Council also terminated city zoning director Jeff Lawson.
Lawson had been on unpaid administrative leave after being indicted under federal corruption charges.
Former Union Mayor Bruce Morgan was also charged in the corruption scandal. Morgan resigned the day the indictments were handed down.
Residents of the city had assumed, as they had been led to believe by the Council, that Union's next Mayor would handle the combined role of city administrator as well, as it had been done since 2004 when Morgan convinced the Council to combine the two positions.
But the Council nixed that plan at today's meeting and chose instead to hire a full-time city administrator. A nationwide search will ensue to find the person best suited for the job, according to the Council.
At least 6 persons have announced their candidacy for Mayor. With Tuesday's decision by the Council, the Mayor of Union will be a significantly weakened position with a reduced salary.
In a decision made by the Union City Council at a special called meeting late Tuesday afternoon, the city has opted to hire a full-time administrator, separating the position from the Mayor's position.
The Council also terminated city zoning director Jeff Lawson.
Lawson had been on unpaid administrative leave after being indicted under federal corruption charges.
Former Union Mayor Bruce Morgan was also charged in the corruption scandal. Morgan resigned the day the indictments were handed down.
Residents of the city had assumed, as they had been led to believe by the Council, that Union's next Mayor would handle the combined role of city administrator as well, as it had been done since 2004 when Morgan convinced the Council to combine the two positions.
But the Council nixed that plan at today's meeting and chose instead to hire a full-time city administrator. A nationwide search will ensue to find the person best suited for the job, according to the Council.
At least 6 persons have announced their candidacy for Mayor. With Tuesday's decision by the Council, the Mayor of Union will be a significantly weakened position with a reduced salary.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Union Council Leaves Mayor/Adm. Position Intact
The Union City Council left intact the combined positions of Mayor and City Administrator for the upcoming special write-in election in November.
Early reports indicated that the Council may seek to separate the two positions following the indictment of Mayor Bruce Morgan, who had initiated the combining of the two jobs.
But the Council decided that the positions will remain combined, and thus, the person who wins the mayoral election in the Fall will also become the City Administrator with a salary of $103,545 per year.
The winner will also oversee an operation with an annual budget of over $50 million per year.
And surprisingly, the qualifications for running for the office are quite few.
Read more about it here in a special report issued by the Union Daily Times, entitled, 'Want to Be Mayor? Few Restrictions for Write-in Candidates.'
Early reports indicated that the Council may seek to separate the two positions following the indictment of Mayor Bruce Morgan, who had initiated the combining of the two jobs.
But the Council decided that the positions will remain combined, and thus, the person who wins the mayoral election in the Fall will also become the City Administrator with a salary of $103,545 per year.
The winner will also oversee an operation with an annual budget of over $50 million per year.
And surprisingly, the qualifications for running for the office are quite few.
Read more about it here in a special report issued by the Union Daily Times, entitled, 'Want to Be Mayor? Few Restrictions for Write-in Candidates.'
PROSECUTOR SPEAKS ON UNION SC CASE
The prosecuting attorney for the government in the Union, South Carolina corruption scandal commented today on the case, according to local news sources at the Union Daily Times.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald told the Daily Times that his office places a high priority on cases of public corruption.
If convicted, former Union Mayor Bruce Morgan and city zoning Director Jeff Lawson could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison and fines of $250,000 per infraction.
Morgan is charged with 6 counts of extortion. Lawson is charged with 4.
McDonald also confirmed earlier reports indicating that more indictments could be handed down in the case.
Mayor Morgan resigned from office the morning of his arrest, just prior to the announcement that the indictments had been issued. Lawson, however, has not resigned but has been placed on administrative leave.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald told the Daily Times that his office places a high priority on cases of public corruption.
If convicted, former Union Mayor Bruce Morgan and city zoning Director Jeff Lawson could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison and fines of $250,000 per infraction.
Morgan is charged with 6 counts of extortion. Lawson is charged with 4.
McDonald also confirmed earlier reports indicating that more indictments could be handed down in the case.
Mayor Morgan resigned from office the morning of his arrest, just prior to the announcement that the indictments had been issued. Lawson, however, has not resigned but has been placed on administrative leave.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
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
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
Friday, July 18, 2008
S.C. SHOCKER--UNION MAYOR INDICTED
The small, county-seat town of Union, located in the Upstate of South Carolina, is in a state of shock today as news comes that its mayor, Bruce Morgan, has been indicted on corruption charges.
Mayor Morgan immediately resigned as word came of the indictment.
The town's zoning administrator, Jeffrey Lawson, has also resigned under indictment.
Both men are charged in federal court with accepting kickbacks in return for granting lucrative government contracts to businesses. Since the alleged scheme began in 2007, Morgan and Lawson have reportedly pocketed over $30,000 in kickbacks.
Although Union's population is only 9,000, Morgan's salary as mayor was over $100,000 per year. Morgan had reportedly convinced the Union City Council to fire the city's administrator and combine the job with the mayoral position. This boosted Morgan's salary from just over $6000 per year to over $100,000.
For complete information on this still-developing story, click HERE to go to WSPA News Channel 7.
Mayor Morgan immediately resigned as word came of the indictment.
The town's zoning administrator, Jeffrey Lawson, has also resigned under indictment.
Both men are charged in federal court with accepting kickbacks in return for granting lucrative government contracts to businesses. Since the alleged scheme began in 2007, Morgan and Lawson have reportedly pocketed over $30,000 in kickbacks.
Although Union's population is only 9,000, Morgan's salary as mayor was over $100,000 per year. Morgan had reportedly convinced the Union City Council to fire the city's administrator and combine the job with the mayoral position. This boosted Morgan's salary from just over $6000 per year to over $100,000.
For complete information on this still-developing story, click HERE to go to WSPA News Channel 7.
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