NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (CBS12) — In a sweeping federal corruption probe, three members of the North Charleston City Council, along with five others, have been charged with bribery, extortion, and money laundering, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina announced on Wednesday.
The charges involve City Council members Jerome Sydney Heyward, 61; Sandino Savalas Moses, 50; and Mike A. Brown, 46, along with Donavan Laval Moten, 46; Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks, 37; Hason “Tory” Fields, 51; Rose Emily Lorenzo, 65; and Michelle Stent-Hilton, 56. The U.S. Attorney’s Office accuses the defendants of accepting bribes, embezzling grant funds, and laundering money in exchange for political influence.
According to federal officials, Heyward participated in three separate corruption schemes. In one, he allegedly extorted a businessman for payments in exchange for official action. In another, he conspired with Brown and Hicks to solicit bribes for rezoning the Baker Hospital site. Finally, Heyward worked with Moten, Lorenzo, and Stent-Hilton to embezzle city grant funds through nonprofit kickbacks.
Heyward has agreed to plead guilty to charges including bribery, extortion, fraud, theft, and money laundering. He faces up to 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Brown, Hicks, and Moses are also implicated in various bribe-related schemes. Hicks admitted to bribing Brown and Moses in exchange for their influence on rezoning decisions, while Fields allegedly helped pay off Moses, who tried to cover up the bribes by returning part of the money.
Moten, Lorenzo, and Stent-Hilton are accused of laundering city grant funds to conceal kickbacks that were paid to Heyward. Each of these individuals faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
Moses has agreed to plead guilty to failing to report the bribery attempts and could face up to three years in prison. Hicks has also agreed to plead guilty to bribery and money laundering charges and could receive up to 20 years in prison.
This case highlights a broad investigation into public corruption, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office reaffirming its commitment to holding those in positions of power accountable.
