CHARLESTON, S.C. – Hason Tatorian “Tory” Fields, 51, of Goose Creek, has admitted to a brazen scheme to buy influence within the City of North Charleston. Fields pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud, bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds, and honest services wire fraud – charges that could land him in federal prison for decades.
The investigation, a joint effort by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, revealed Fields conspired with others to funnel bribes to Sandino Moses, then a member of the North Charleston City Council representing District 7. The payoff? Securing Moses’ support for the controversial rezoning of the Baker Hospital site. Fields didn’t just offer a handshake; he delivered two separate bribes, actively attempting to manipulate the city’s decision-making process.
The rezoning application was already before the City Council when Fields initiated contact with Moses, indicating a calculated effort to sway the vote. Details of the bribes themselves haven’t been fully released, but the Justice Department asserts they were substantial enough to constitute a serious breach of public trust. This wasn’t a simple misunderstanding; it was a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of local government.
If convicted, Fields faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Beyond incarceration, he could be hit with a fine of up to $250,000, and ordered to pay restitution for any damages caused by his actions. Even after serving his time, Fields would be subject to three years of supervised release, a constant reminder of his criminal conduct.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel accepted Fields’ guilty plea, but sentencing is still pending. The judge will await a comprehensive sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office before determining the appropriate punishment. This report will delve into Fields’ background, criminal history, and the full extent of the damage caused by his bribery scheme.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Limehouse and Whit Sowards are prosecuting the case, signaling a continued federal commitment to rooting out corruption at the local level. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves towards sentencing and will report on any further developments. This case serves as a stark reminder that even local politics isn’t immune to the lure of dirty money.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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