(Columbia) July 30, 2004 - Federal authorities say
state Agriculture Commissioner Charles Sharpe is the
highest ranking state official to be indicted in recent
memory.
Sharpe is accused in a 12-count indictment of
extortion, making false statements and money laundering
to protect a cockfighting organization in Aiken County.
If he's convicted, Charlie Sharpe could face up to 121
months in prison.
Federal investigators say the
testing facility was run by an organization known as the
South Carolina Gamefowl Management association. The
Secretary of State's office and the Department of
Revenue say the association is a for-profit corporation.
But these federal indictments say the association was
part of a longstanding effort to convince state
legislators to legalize cockfighting.
Authorities say Sharpe was the association's point
man at the State House, "Defendant Sharpe served as an
advocate for the interests of the SCGMA in the South
Carolina House of Representatives and defendant Sharpe
assisted the SCGMA by helping pass various pieces of
legislation in which the SCGMA had an interest."
One form on file with the Revenue Department
describes the nature of the association's business as,
"research manager, farm animals."
Other papers from the Secretary of State say the
group planned run a "research facility" where breeders
and enthusiasts would engage in, "legal activities."
If the SCGMA was trying to influence lawmakers other
than Sharpe, it kept a low profile.
John Crangle heads Common Cause, the government
watchdog group, "I never noticed any activity from
anyone from that organization. If they were over there,
they were lost in the crowd."
The SCGMA grew out of another group with similar
name, the South Carolina Gamefowl Breeders Association.
The breeders association lists its address at a house in
Columbia. No one answered the door when News 10 visited
Friday afternoon.
It's not clear yet whether anyone from the Gamefowl
Association can be or will be charged in connection with
the alleged payoffs to Sharpe.
Common Cause asked the attorney general Friday to
consider taking the case to the state Grand Jury.
Reporting by Jack
Kuenzie
Posted 7:30pm by Eva
Pilgrim
