Ex-SC DOT commissioner who violated probation by soliciting prostitute gets prison time

[TexasTowelie]

COLUMBIA — A former South Carolina transportation commissioner was sentenced to seven months in federal prison Wednesday after he violated probation by soliciting a prostitute.

John Hardee was originally sentenced in August to 45 days of house arrest and probation for telling a contractor to delete emails amid a federal investigation into potential bribery when he was on the state’s roads board.

But within a matter of hours after striking his plea deal, Hardee was ensnared in an undercover operation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department after he attempted to solicit a deputy who was posing as a prostitute. Evidence against Hardee included text messages showing him negotiating a “QV” or “quick visit” with the undercover officer.

That landed Hardee, the son-in-law of S.C. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman, back in federal court for violating his parole.

Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/ex-sc-dot-commissioner-who-violated-probation-by-soliciting-prostitute/article_2f721604-e4ab-11e9-9e73-13f7ead62b81.html

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I don't have much sympathy for this guy, but he's in for a federal charge and...

immediately the local sheriff sets him up?

Doesn't add up-- why such a rush for a sting on this guy?

[SCantiGOP]

2. He wasn't set up

He just had the exceedingly bad luck to walk into a sting operation.
Sentence does seem a bit extreme for a 72 year old. Most people get a night in jail and a fine.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. K, article didn't make it clear that the sting was already set up...

Exceedingly bad luck indeed.