It's nice of this Republican -- the South Carolina state treasurer and the state chairman of Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign -- to mix things up a bit.
South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, a former real estate developer who became a rising political star after his election last year, was indicted Tuesday on federal cocaine charges.
The millionaire is accused of buying less than 500 grams of the drug to share with other people in late 2005, U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd said. Ravenel, 44, is charged with distribution of cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The investigation into Ravenel arose from a drug case last year in Charleston, Lloyd said. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart said his agents were aware of the allegations before Ravenel was elected in November, but they didn't have enough information to pursue criminal charges. The case was turned over to the FBI in April.
"The investigation is just beginning," the federal prosecutor said.
Lindsey Graham is celebrating, since it was long rumored that Ravenel was interested in primarying him this cycle.