COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Weeks before South Carolina's state treasurer was indicted on a federal cocaine charge, his supporters were encouraging him to run for the U.S. Senate, an Associated Press review of e-mail records shows.
Thomas Ravenel also used public time and his state e-mail account as part of his work as Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign chairman in South Carolina, which state ethics officials believe is barred under state regulations.
E-mails obtained by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act offer a glimpse into the life of a multimillionaire, first-term state official whose time was spent in part fielding requests for favors, considering loftier political goals, and dabbling in presidential politics.
None of the records relate to his June 19 federal charge: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine.
Ravenel, 44, is accused of sharing cocaine with his friends, not selling the drug, authorities said. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
His arraignment is scheduled Friday, but Ravenel is not expected to appear. He entered a 30-day rehab program at an Arizona psychiatric hospital, according to court documents. It's not clear when he began treatment.
Ravenel has not responded to messages seeking comment since his indictment. His attorney, Bart Daniel, did not respond to an e-mail from the AP on Thursday.
Just weeks before the indictment, the Republican's life was on a very different track.
He received more than a dozen requests from people around South Carolina - including fellow alumni of The Citadel military college - urging him to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2008.
Ravenel and his spokesman also bantered via computer during work hours about an op-ed by Ravenel encouraging South Carolinians to support Giuliani, the former New York mayor.
South Carolina government ethics rules prohibit any state worker from using time on the job, or state equipment, to work on political campaigns.
John Crangle, state director for the government watchdog group Common Cause, said the provision applies to officials campaigning on behalf of state candidates and also appears to apply to candidates for federal office. However, Crangle said he doesn't know of any case that has tested the state ban on campaigning for federal candidates.
It was not clear Thursday whether an ethics complaint had been filed against Ravenel.
The head of South Carolina's Ethics Commission said there are no exceptions for such breaking the rules, though he did not speak specifically about the Ravenel e-mails.
"You can't even use a copier and then reimburse later," executive director Herb Hayden said.
The ethics commission can issue fines up to $2,000 per charge. Accusations can be referred to the state Attorney General's office for criminal action and violators can face a $5,000 fine and up to one year in jail for each charge, Hayden said.
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