FEDERAL GRAND JURY ZEROES IN ON CORRUPT CABAL
A federal grand jury investigating the infamous “Lexington Ring” will meet next week in Columbia, S.C., sources tell FITS. Its goal? To get one of the central players in the ring’s illegal video poker operation to spill the beans on the cabal of crooked cops and corrupt politicians.
According to our sources, next week’s proceedings will revolve around embattled Lexington, S.C. town councilman Danny Frazier – who was surreptitiously recorded earlier this year explaining the inner workings of the ring to a prospective client. These recordings were provided to the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in the spring of this year by a former member of the ring – a ex-magistrate who claims that he once issued favorable rulings on behalf of the underground video poker industry.
Frazier originally denied making the statements contained in the recordings, but later changed his tune and said he fabricated them in an effort to make himself appear influential.
Among the names dropped by Frazier on the tapes? Lexington, S.C. Sheriff Jimmy Metts, Columbia, S.C. mayor Steve Benjamin and State Senators Jakie Knotts (RINO-Lexington) and Ronnie Cromer (RINO-Newberry).
According to our sources federal prosecutors aim to “close the loop” on Frazier next week – nailing down alleged favors that he has received over the years from certain individuals with business before the town of Lexington, S.C. Armed with this information they will then seek to press Frazier into revealing additional details of the ring.
How deep does this rabbit hole go? Well, the ring’s activities are said to include misappropriated public funds, prostitution and even murder.
Originally exposed by The (Columbia, S.C.) Free Times – which immediately (and mysteriously) stopped reporting on the story – the saga of the ring was all the rage for a few weeks, generating extensive (and incriminating) reporting from this website as well as Midlands, S.C. television station WIS TV 10 (NBC – Columbia, S.C.).
Then the scandal disappeared from the headlines – prompting speculation that it would become yet another example of our state’s corrupt status quo flaunting its lawlessness without any consequence whatsoever for their actions.
Apparently that’s not what’s happening, though … which is good.
This website has consistently supported the expansion of gaming in South Carolina as well as opposing the state-run gambling monopoly (a.k.a. the so-called “education” lottery). We believe private businesses should have the right to offer gambling to their customers – and that private citizens should have the right to gamble.
In fact the saga of the ring has only reinforced this belief …
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83 comments
I wonder if Frazier still “has the balls” for this? Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling…
……yeah Smirks you are right but the pipes that will be calling fat boy will be the pipes in prison cells! His new song will be Rain Drops Keep Falling On my Head….except it ain’t gonna be rain!
Metts, has tried to remove himself from Frazier and his activities, but too late. Some of his x deputies are too close to the activities.
Drinking buddies Halfacre, Hazell and Stambolitis are trying to keep a distance and publicly denying any and all knowledge of his activities.
His close associates, vacationioning companions and next door neighbors Peeler and wife are attempting to disassociate from him. This could be difficult with their campaign activities, working the election poles, campaigning door to door with Frazier. Seems some connection with Lex. County and ticket fixing also.
Meyers and girl friend have been absent lately.
James is apoplectic with fear of his association and his connections with chief Tindle,Frazier and Frazier’s wife’s job in Cayce; where James is a councilman and running and drinking buddies. Known to troll the Vista constantly on the hunt.
Mayor Owens feels his fireing of Frazier covered his butt. Seems his butt is still out flapping in the breeze.
All too little, too late!
What is relation of Janet Frazier to Danny? She’s another nasty B.
Bob Peeler’s wife is the niece to none other than Jean Toal. It is way past time for a complete house cleaning at all levels.
Mean Jean Hoefer Toal, (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court looking after neice),
With Mettes (Sheriff),
James (former SLED #2 and Chief Deputy at Lexington Sheriffs office, Cayce Councilman),
Myers (Solicitor),
Peeler (former Lt Gov., Clemson Trustee, Waste Management lobbyist and brother to Sen #2, Senate Majority leader harvey Peeler),
Halfacre (Lex. Mayor),
Owens (Mayor West Columbia),
Keels (SLED Chief appointed by Haley who Frazier campaigned and raised money for),
THIS DEFINATELY NEEDS TO BE A FEDERAL OPERATION. NO WAY JUSTICE COULD BE SERVED OTHERWISW AND THIS MUST BE HOW THIS BUNCH HAS SKATED BY THE LAW FOR SO LONG!!!
Janet Frazier says she is no relation.not sure I believe that since everyone around here is related it seems. frazier has no business running for school board. She is Lexington 1’s version of Kim Murphy. Those who sue our schools are not qualified. Shame on you Ms. Frazier. Another lowlife like your namesake town councilman.
Biden melted Down last night…and made it even worse…
Why is FITS ignoring it?
You melt down on here all the time. FITS has gotten good at ignoring meltdowns.
Because Biden kicked himself some Eddie Munster butt…
Steve Benjamin doesn’t care for the picture of the noose.
That is all.
Why has the person on the tape with Frazier name ever come out ? Just asking ?
Joseph Griffin Beckham
http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/opinions/displayopinion.cfm?caseno=26038
Interesting discipline document on Griffen Beckham. Didn’t he and Andre live together? Newberry residents have never gotten over him being named Magistrate.
private eye…I was too lazy to read the whole thing, but talk about incestuous.
And, I know that every county in the state is just like this.
I’d LOVE to see FITS’ opinion of the VP debate….
Big T,
Stay on subject or shut the “F” up!!!!
Better yet, just shut the Fuck UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We’d love to see you disappear! Poof!
Go to the ELECTION 2012 tab, maybe it’s there. DUMBASS.
I can’t believe they let Paul Ryan on TV with that jacked up nose of his. Should have put a little “censored” bar over it at least.
They had to have someone playing the straight man to “Crazy Joe”.
“Among the names dropped by Frazier on the tapes? Lexington, S.C. Sheriff Jimmy Metts, Columbia, S.C. mayor Steve Benjamin and State Senators Jakie Knotts (RINO-Lexington) and Ronnie Cromer (RINO-Newberry).” All RJ Shealy clients.
RJ Shealy representing Setzler. Anyone he represents oozes slime.
Nope, Benjamin is Quinn and Co.
Good news! I hope the Ring doesn’t get a chance to intimidate or bribe the Federal Grand Jury or prosecutors involved in pushing this case. Joe Wilson has close ties to some of the scumbuckets involved in this and could bring pressure to bear. As far as state charges or investigations go, his son Alan will do all he can to protect old family friends.
Keep up the great work informing us of the details, Fits!
Let’s hope that the noose not only tightens, but the trap trap door opens and stops the ring for good. As citizens, we still need to remember all of these politicians at the polls. We need to establish term limits ourselves, because it is a given that the politicians will not.
Lets get rid of Jakie, Metts, Frazier, Halfacre, Stambolitis, Hazel (whatever her last name is this year), and Myers.
Hey, let’s toss ugly MANess, grizzly Shevchik and that Moron MacDougall on the list and clean out town council. Moron MacDougall the barbecu butt now fucking with the little people who are going to bite him later so he’s toast. He’s one dumb cluck.
Macdougall…nothing but a fucking MANAGER. Need leaders. He ain’t one ol’ barbecue but boy.
MacDougall is nothing but a pawn for certain business interests out on 378. Couldn’t keep his biz open so now sucking up to them and doing their bidding. With Danny and company out is this 378 group ready to step in? How convenient. He’ll be out next election as already a group discussing aggressive challenge since he is showing lack of common sense in some town matters. Without Danny to direct them some members of lex council are really lost. MacD is one.
Anyone who can’t run a business has no business being elected to office. McD couldnt cut it No need debating McD and wasting effort since he’s got another 3 years but as someone else said he’s a pawn for the BBQ bosses. He’s a nobody but if Danny does go down keep an eye on him and his backers to fill the void. You heard it here first.
Hazel’s name is Livingston, this year. Next year who knows?
LMFAO about posts regarding Steve MacDougall the BBQ butt boy and crony of the old Lexington interests. We fucked up with this loser and more reason why we have to carefully vet these local candidates.
Thank you FITS for bringing us up to date on this. Was wondering what had happened. Good for SLED and whoever empaneled the Grand Jury to get to the root of this. Don’t believe that all the names being mentioned on FITS are all of the conspirators. I suspect there are a lot more that haven’t been named. Timmy James, the whole crowd at LMC, and lots of public officials in Cayce, West Columbia where Frazier trolled are probably up to their scared eyebrows over this. I disagree that Halfacre, Stambolitis and Hazel whateverherlastnameisnow are involved. They talk way too much and Frazier would never let them in on a good thing. He pandered at their feet and when he had something good you can be sure he wasn’t gonna let them in on it. He’s goin’ down. It will be fun to see how far down the rabbit hole this goes. Lexington could have all Haley-appointed officials before too long!!! YIKES!
“as well as opposing the state-run gambling monopoly (a.k.a. the so-called “education” lottery). ”
The Education Lottery sure helps put a bunch of people through school who couldn’t afford it otherwise. While I have the G.I. Bill too, others aren’t so fortunate.
It’s free workforce training, and a great idea. Companies will NOT pay to train workers, States MUST (that’s “have no fucking choice in the real world”) offer competitive work forces if they want business, and taxing the stupid solves some of that problem.
This is a long time coming! Danny is the epitome of corruption, and anyone who associates himself with him is alike. Use him as an example to your children and friends, what goes around comes around! King-fish, your soon to get yours.
I’ve been trying to educate Town residents on ‘friends of Lexington county’ for years now and its refreshing to see Danny get exposed for what he is.
It will be interesting to see where Bedinger and james, with lex. Med Center come out in this. Don’t many of these Lex Ring members frequent Clemson ball games with Bob Peeler (trustee) with tickets provided by him?? Associate with dirt and you become dirt!
Poor Howard Rawl has been used by these leeches far too long and needs to be freed from their evil grasp. I’ve seen peeler’s wife waller all over the poor guy to get things out of him. They have all used and abused Mr. Rawl.
I’m hearing Metts is toast with Frazier, Knotts and Cromer.
The Feds need to crack one or two and get info on all of the other illegal activities from this bunch and their associates.
Rumors of the prostitution, drugs and gambling have been around forever.
You think Peeler married to that trash? He’ll no!
They all cover for each other, no matter what. Word here is,
Peeler’s girl was on county business when they were caught in their affair. Took him with her to meeting out of town, paid for their shackup room with a county credit card, while on the job! Anyone else would have been fired, she was promoted to a higher position! WTF???
she’s a damn tramp.
Sleep well Lexington Ring…heh..heh..heh
Hopefully these guys will all sing to save their sorry asses and clean the whole lot out of Lexington. I’m with GAGC that the Feds will find others rather than Halfacre and Lexington town guys in the muck. My bet is that a lot of the Old Lexington crowd is not sleeping well tonight or is making yet another excursion to Costa Rica while they can.
This brings a whole new meaning to “pink glove contest “over at LMC.
Biediger and James cut deal with Queen Nimrod-a–we change our story about what really happened at LMC and you pardon us when the Feds come knocking and we’re getting pink gloves up our asses. These ain’t no dumb hayseeds.
Frazier carried haley all over Lexington County campaigning for her, raised money for her and publicly asked Gresham barrett to drop out of the runoff.
As croked, greedy and self serving as Haley is,i wonder if some of her campaign money was dirty from this bunch?
Feds taking time off from the investigation of the Governor, the Speaker, the Horry delegation?
We need a Fits unfounded conspiracy flow chart to track all of this non sense
Something caught my the other day as I was heading to the airport. I couldn’t notice but the Lexington Ring’s hangout The Skyline Club has one of those green and white highway signs pointing you to their business. Is this common? I’ve never seen a government supplied McDonalds or Chili’s highway sign along side the road. All I could think of is that this has to be the work of Frazier, Metts, Knotts, etc…
FCI Ashland, Ky or ADX Florence, Colorado???
Lexington Ring is not in that league. Probably just spread eagle over the bunk in Atlanta.
I wish the feds would also investigate corruption in Charleston county and Bobby Harrell in particular.
You know, since the Myrtle Beach cashier’s check scandal has been under investigation, allegedly, for so long by FBI and IRS, really makes me wonder if one thing leads to another and that has spread out to this and who knows what.
If you have read any of the Sun News’ David Wren’s stories about mortgage fraud that the Feds have been prosecuting and trying down there, you know that a Lexington County developer was involved. I was surpised that The State never picked up on any of that from it’s sister McClatchy paper…but, they are trifling.
Oh, I want another Lost Trust sooooo bad!!
Danny Frazier being all alone is a scary place to be when you have for years dug yourself in a hole. The very people you are trying to reach out to for help either want talk to you or they have been recording y’alls conversations. Danny contacting or attempting to contact people that have been subpoenaed to appear before the federal grand jury is obstruction of justice. However, you know that, it is that you know you are going to be indicted. There is no one that will or want help you because of all the lives that you have destroyed due to your corrupt actions. There are so many people watching how low and desparate you have become now knowing that a federal grand jury is convening next week.
They are not after Danny moron, he is merely the catalyst to launch
an investiation into the people they have wanted for years. It’s funny to listen to you people ramble, bitch and speculate; but none of you really know anything! Those who have not stood up for Danny in his time of need should beware; he knows all your dirty secrets!!
Real Private Eye,
Your last sentence; quote, “Those who have not stood up for Danny in his time of need should beware; he knows all your dirty secrets!!”
Are you saying, people should have supported criminal, immoral and unethical activity and should have supported Danny and turned a “blind eye” and “deaf ear” and kept mouths shut?
This sounds like the quote from his tape transcripts, threatening people and saying “once in, you cannot get out”.
This definately sounds Mafia-esque and very much like organized crime.
In other words, threatening for not supporting his alleged prostitution, illegal gambling, corruption, drugs and other immoral, illegal activity?
I’m sure this was not your intention. I’ve heard of the threats from people who had tickets fixed, “better keep your mouth shut”. Too late when a drunk driver kills and maims others!
These people and their activities are a cancer, the “Ring” and their associates, who witnesstd and viewed these activities, with a wink and a grin. They all felt empowered and sought gain from these activities themselves, no matter who got destroyed and hurt, children families, justice denied, no matter to them!
There was something in it for them!
No, I am saying you people are so naive. Danny is not the Big Fish; he couldn’t think up or pull all this off. Danny was “brought up” in this mess and now to throw him under the bus and let him take the fall or worse, hang him out to dry will be costly to many because he knows where all the bodies are buried! And you are really naive to think that when one “mafia” gang falls, another one (bigger, stronger and more organized) will be waiting to walk right in and fill the void. It’s been that way for a 100 years and some of the most power Feds in history haven’t destroyed the MAFIA!
Danny isn’t the big fish they’re after, he’s just the mouthpiece that keeps talking. He can’t help himself, he’s not that smart. Will he get buried with the others, absolutely. But there are people out here who are sweating this a lot more than Danny Frazier. Danny knows his career is over, the others are wondering how much the grand jury knows about them and will be scared to open their mouth when answering questions.
Fully agree that Danny boy ain’t the target. Where I differ with most is that the cabal was known to the politicos but a lot of old Lexington good old boys are where the goons are. Need to investigate the Costa Rica connection which is well known in Lexington old buddy circles. Old Lexington/Cayce/West Columbia names are going to go down this time. No more Costa Rica debauchery and drugs y’all. Your days of hiding out, shaking down folks and dealing are over….hopefully.
Just viewed King-Fish’s FaceBook friends. Police officers, troopers, deputies and politicians. Everything needed to have Lexington County on lock down! I would be ashamed to be a “friend” of Danny Frazier. It shows 230 something people he has done favors for and who are indebted to him. FOOLS!!
King-Tut,
They all benefitted, in some way and were willing to overlook all of the unethical, illegal acts. Knew Frazier would help them with tickets, to make under the table money and was connected to these crooked politicians and could get favors.
This is where Cromer, Knotts, Peeler came into favor, evidently
willing to sell their integrity, morals, ethics and honesty for payoff of some kind. As stated earlier, look at how far and deep their tenticles reach, the highest levels of law enforcement, judges, elected officials willing to stoop so low. For God’s sake, including the former, Lt. Gov. to chief justice of the Supreme court, solicitor, to the high sheriff!
Do you think these people were not aware of Danny’s activities?
They want to deny all now; but, their association and activities with Danny say otherwise. He cannot shut his mouth, bragged openly. I saw many of this bunch(elected officials, former Lt Gov, Solicitor, mayor and council) out drinking one night and Danny was bragging about all then, just like on the tape. They were all laughing and very cozy with Danny and his comments!
Think of this. If the prostitution and drug allegations are true, were there pictures taken? Who would want their constituients, wife, husband to see or know. This was probably an easy vote or as Sen Cromer was allegede to say, “I’ll do anything I can”. “Anything” covers many options. And Cromer is alleged to be very close to the Peeler’s, which may mean a direct line to the Senate majority leader and Chief Justice!!
They are ALL alleged to be close to Congressman Wilson, a direct line to the Attorney General!!
We all know the real target and kingfish is one or more senators or other state officials.That would be worth all the Feds efforts and expense. They aren’t going to spend time and tax money on some two bit town councilman who fixes tickets which by the way isn’t illegal unless he’s charging for it or demanding some other type of compensation. No, they’re after bigger fish. Enough people have confirmed the grand jury so this is real. Who gets immunity to rat out the others will be the real story. It just may be Frazier. Indictments will fly now that they’ve gone this far.
The six-strand sayonara is probably too much to hope for here, and perhaps even the rockpile, but it will be sorely disappointing if several more of these sleazeballs are not at least tossed in disgrace* from their offices and paychecks.
*Assuming they are even capable of shame.
Going up the comment list a ways, tell us more about MacDougall the lex councilman. Other than looking like a lost puppy on tv what is his connection to Danny? I never trusted that guy so interested in getting the scoop. All these restaurant types part of the Columbia hospitality association with ties to gambling and corruption and the suspicious death of the director. Is there a Lexington connection? Fact for years that the Lexington restaurant insiders keeping other restaurants out except those they approve and who don’t compete with them. Even today some restaurant barons bullying others who don’t toe their line. Expose this corruption.
McDougal Is an asshole. Ask ANY of Lexingtons young voters who he accuses of being crooks.
Don’t think old Steve is a crook but the shady characters for whom he is their front man definitely are. Young Stevie is bought and paid for by unsavory and nasty characters. They, he and we all know who they are.
Anyone on the Lexington city council had to know what Danny Frazier was doing. Those people are always together and I’ve seen em all out with Danny. Only ones that may be clean are Stambo and Kathy maness. We know Danny called him a pussy. Kathy is just dumb as dirt.
Ted is clean. Wanted NOTHING to do with illegal gaming. He watched a family member tear his loved ones apart with gambling. Ted is very upset and disappointed with Danny, and this I know.
Stan-butt isn’t so clean. He used his position on the town circus and had a private meeting with a SCDOT engineer and convinced him to reverse his decision to add a cement median to ease congestion. He claimed it would hurt his business. I bet “Joe citizen” can get the same treatment, right? God Bless…..
To real private “DICK”,
Danny is as guilty of Jakie Knotts, James Metts, Dennis Tyndall, Jason Amidio, Ronnie Cromer and other criminals in this mess that each created for their own finacial gain. For you to defend Danny Frazier by indicating that it is not his fault that he did what he did and said what he said just because he was “brought up” in this mess. You have got to be on crack private dick! Danny Frazier knew exactly what he was doing because remember he said it as clear as day, “I do all their dirty work for those sons-of-bitchs because I have the balls to do it”. There would be no need for courts and prisons if every dumb-dick like you accepted the reason like you are suggesting that when people get caught stepping on their dick it is not their fault, that they can not help themselves, because they were “brought up” in the mess that they either created or continued to create. I don’t care how much dirt Danny Fraizer has on people, he needs to be held accountable for his criminal wrongs and others too.
Amen! Everyone is responsible, or liable as the case may be, for his own actions. Frazier is in the shit by his own admission and needs to be held accountable. He will probably get immunity to testify against the others since he did allthe shit for the crooks, so “fear the flubber!”
I am private “DICK” enough to know that you are too closely related to this group and their Mis-deeds to see clearly. You spew a lot of anger; my guess is you are a scorned ex looking to get even?
Danny is a DICK.
You guys in Lexington are just PATHETIC. You give us this Frazier guy, Knotts, Meyers, that Boss Hog Mayor, and the dumbest bunch of crooks around, then dump Haley on us. Y’all should put up a fence around that place and all of you crooks live happily ever after assholes.
We are not getting nearly enough scuttlebutt here. Tongues must be wagging in offices, corridors, booths, and beer-soaked redneck dives nearer the center of this morass. But what are they saying?
Clearly, more moles are needed. But rats may be able to spot moles, so it may not be so easy to penetrate the Lexington labyrinth. Who has a belly like Danny? Heck, who has a mullet? Or maybe this is ladies work.
What they are saying is that Danny boy has a date with GJ this week and also either already testified or soon will are Metts, Halfwit and Myers. Somebody in this morass has to have immunity to rat on the others. Indictments shouldn’t be far off. Merry Christmas Lexington!
Heard from cop in Lexington a few minutes ago that Fat Frazier showed up at the council meeting tonight. Maybe he was there to collect his things before heading off to JAIL.
Unbelievable. Fitz and the federal government is more concerned with poker machines at tackle shops than the Speaker of the House and SIB board members billion dollar freebie to their own pet projects for profit. What a joke!!!!
OMG, how many hundreds of thousands of dollars did Dooley’s Bait Shop pocket from their machines? They even had a dedicated gaming room, not seen from the front. Guess a Dooley has immunity in a town like Lexington.
Thats why Marty got out of a fatal felony dui. Anyone else would have gotten twenty years minimum.
Where oh where is Frank Barron to opine on these things? He has a list of all the insider dealings. We all thought he was a crackpot. Now his information seems to be true. Saving Lives!!!
I find it funny how people are trying to deflect the attenton away from the real issue. Maness and MacDougall have nothing to do with Frazier but haters always trying to bring people down. Kathy Maness does a great job, she was elected PRESIDENT OF WOMEN IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT WITH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES FOR 2012. And MacDougall had a successful restaurant he sold after half dozen years or so, how does that make him a failure? I know MacDougall from growing up arond Lexington, he’s a good guy, just wanting to be involved in his hometown.
All I can say is stop trying to make it like the whole council is bad. These people put their necks out there, some do it for the right reasons, some not.But stop trying to make it look like the whole group is crooked.
So what that MANess was elected to some Women in Municipal Government. There are less than 100 in that group nationwide anyway so what honor is that? Whole council is not bad in my opinion but this guy is going around lately accusing good people of being crooks and acting self-righteous and he has some questions in his own past he doesn’t want raised. Needs to be tossed.
“Less then a hundred nationwide” is an honor. What title do you hold that less then a hundred people nationwide hold?
As to MacDougall why are you holding back the “questions” to be raised?
You agree the whole council is not bad. Let me guess, your a friend of Danny’s?
Steve is just an asshole and so is his boss(es). Shame on him for fucking up attempts to do good things. Council people are all snickering behind his back that he’s such a moron and a ONE TERMER. All these BBQ people are idiots and little Danny disciples.
Todd for Mayor of Lexington!
People, you have to get rid of these old Lexington HACKS!
Ask one question-are you a native of Lexington? If answer is yes, then RUN and vote for anyone else.
Enuf of this corruption SHIT!
Get off your ASS Lexington!