Related Federal Cases
- Luxury Auto Ring Busted in Charlotte · Mississippi
- LA AG Warns Banks on Firearm Purchase Tracking · Indiana
- Western Union Scam · Washington
- Car Thief Sentenced to 46 Months · Alabama
- Sulfuric Giants to Cut Pollution by 3,000 Tons! · Alabama
Kickback Scheme Rocks SC State University
A high-ranking official at South Carolina State University has been sentenced in connection with a kickback scheme involving the 2011 homecoming concert.
Edwin Donald Givens, a 51-year-old former counsel for SC State, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony after being accused of knowing about and concealing information about the scheme.
According to court documents, Givens had actual knowledge of the commission of a federal felony offense involving the solicitation, receipt, and payment of kickbacks by others involved in the concert.
In a shocking twist, Givens failed to disclose this information and took affirmative steps to conceal it from federal law enforcement agents investigating the scheme. This included an interview with FBI agents on November 14, 2011.
The investigation into the kickback scheme was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS-CI).
Givens’ cooperation and substantial assistance in the case of United States v. Jonathon Pinson were cited as reasons for the government’s recommendation of a probationary sentence. United States District Judge David C. Norton ultimately sentenced Givens to 6 months of probation.
The case and its companion cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy C. Wicker, Jane B. Taylor, DeWayne Pearson, and J.D. Rowell.
When asked for comment, Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Givens’ sentence reflected his cooperation and assistance in the investigation.
Contact information for further inquiries can be made to Nancy Wicker at (803) 929-3000.
RELATED: Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme Rocks Ohio Treasurer’s Office
RELATED: $24.5M Medicare Kickback Scandal Rocks Alabama Hospital System
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
ðŸâ€â€™ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption