Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins, joined by Special Agent in Charge David Thomas of the FBI and Director Reginald Lloyd of SLED, announced the indictment of Union’s two-term Mayor E. BRUCE MORGAN, age 57, and Union Building and Zoning Director, JEFFERY LAWSON, age 40, for multiple violations of the Hobbs Act (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951), a federal statute prohibiting public officials from using their positions to extort others for personal gain. Both defendants are residents of the Union, South Carolina, area.

The seven-count indictment (a copy of which is attached to this release) charges both defendants with conspiring to extort over $30,000.00 in bribes or kickbacks from contractors seeking business with the City of Union, South Carolina. The indictment charges that both defendants used their positions to award city contracts in return for illegal kickbacks paid directly to them. The indictment also charges both defendants with multiple acts (Morgan is charged in six counts, Lawson in four) of using their official positions to extort payments in violation of federal law.

Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty that both defendants face is a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a maximum fine of $250,000.00 for each violation charged in the indictment. 

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the FBI and SLED working together on the Public Corruption Task Force, and noted that this case was the result of a long-term undercover operation. 

Mr. Wilkins stated, “The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.  My office and the agencies working on the Public Corruption Task Force are committed to the pursuit and prosecution of government officials who use their offices to commit crimes in violation of the public trust.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge David Thomas said, “Public corruption is one of the FBI’s top priorities.  The vast majority of public officials are honest.  However, some choose to abuse the trust placed in them by the public.  The FBI is committed to fighting public corruption because no level of corruption is acceptable: the violation of trust is the same.  We urge anyone with information about public corruption to contact their local FBI office."

Director Lloyd of SLED stated, “Our continued partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation reinforces our commitment to drawing a line in the sand on public corruption. In addition, we commend the diligent effort of the agents of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and FBI in this case which continues to discourage public officials from violating the public trust.”

This case and any others stemming from this investigation will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Moore of the Columbia office and Leesa Washington of the Greenville office. The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.