Sandino Savalas Moses, a former North Charleston City Councilmember, was sentenced on April 20 to two years of probation for misprision of a felony. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel also ordered Moses to complete 100 hours of community service.
The sentencing follows an investigation into a bribery scheme related to Sea Fox Boat Company’s application for a zoning change before the North Charleston City Council. According to evidence from the investigation, consultants Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks and Hason Tatorian Fields were hired by Sea Fox Boat Company to help secure support for the project. After Moses initially moved to table the zoning request during its first reading, Hicks and Fields met with representatives from Sea Fox and discussed strategies moving forward. During these discussions, Fields indicated that Moses might accept a bribe due to personal difficulties.
Subsequently, Fields paid two bribes to Moses before the matter was reconsidered by city council. When Moses realized he was being bribed in exchange for his support of the project, he returned the money but did not report Fields’ actions to law enforcement authorities.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Sowards and Emily Limehouse prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina protects communities and ensures justice for residents, according to the official website according to the official website. The office includes a team of 120 prosecutors and support professionals according to the official website and manages criminal prosecutions, civil cases, and collections for the federal government according to the official website. It operates across South Carolina with offices in Columbia, Charleston, Florence, and Greenville while serving as legal representative for federal interests according to the official website.
