SLED report reveals Santiago testimony discrepancies
A report released Wednesday says that interim Columbia Police Chief Ruben Santiago failed to tell state and federal investigators that he knew two separate versions of a phone conversation recording existed, according to The State.
The 405-page state police report on an investigation into police corruption allegations against Santiago said that he had changed his story during interviews with the State Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation about when he received a recording.
The investigation began July 10 after former police Capt. David Navarro said Santiago asked him to frame a fellow city official in a “black ops” scheme. He brought the complaint to SLED one day after his suspension from the police department.
Following Navarro’s suspension, Santiago asked SLED to investigate him for allegedly illegally shredding documents and misappropriation of money.
A special prosecutor decided not to bring charges against either man.
S.C. State faces mounting bills without enough money
South Carolina State University has a $13.6 million shortage and unpaid bills that date back to October, according to The State.
According to university President Thomas Elzey, the school has been put on notice by vendors who provide students’ food, maintain washing machines in dorms and run the school bookstore. In order to avoid a disruption in services to students, the school needs funding appropriated by April.
Elzey asked the state Budget and Control Board Wednesday for a direct appropriation to complete the school’s funding in the next fiscal year. He said the school would also take a loan to help pay the bills, though it would add to the school’s debt.
Elzey said services on the Orangeburg campus would stop in April if the school does not receive funding soon.
Police chief search narrowed down to 2
The list of candidates up for Columbia’s next police chief has been narrowed down to two, according to The State.
During a work session at City Hall Tuesday, city manager Teresa Wilson told City Council she would be announcing her choice soon but was not specific.
Wilson did not give any information regarding which two candidates were still in the running. Anthony Fisher, William Holbrook, Bryan Norwood and Gregory Reese had all been announced as finalists.
Each of the four has public safety experience: Fisher is the former executive director of the Spartanburg Department of Public Safety; Holbrook is the chief of the Huntington, W.Va., Police Department; Norwood is a former chief of the Richmond, Va., police department; and Reese is chief of security forces at the Air Force Space Command in Colorado.