WHEREAS, Stokely H. Cox, Jr. was indicted by the South Carolina State Grand Jury, on April 17, 2000, on one count of forgery, one count of embezzlement and one count of misconduct in office in violation of South Carolina Code of Laws, Sections 16-13-10 and 16-13-210 and the common law; and

WHEREAS, the above-referenced charges are crimes of moral turpitude; and

WHEREAS, as Mayor of South Congaree, Mr. Cox is an officer of a political subdivision of the State of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Article VI, Section 8 of the South Carolina Constitution provides that "[a]ny officer of the State or its political subdivisions . . ., who has been indicted by a grand jury for a crime involving moral turpitude or who has waived such indictment if permitted by law may be suspended by the Governor until he shall have been acquitted. In case of conviction the office shall be declared vacant and the vacancy filled as may be provided by law."

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, I hereby suspend Stokely H. Cox as Mayor of South Congaree.