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Goodwill grants SC non-profit check for Haiti efforts

July 12, 2010 By

Goodwill Industries gave non-profit Water Missions International a $30,000 check to help in the organization’s relief efforts in Haiti. At the six-month anniversary for the devasting earthquake in Haiti, the Lower South Carolina sector of Goodwill Industries presented the $30,000 check to Water Missions International today.

Water Missions is a South Carolina non-profit organization that helps deliver water-purification systems to places around the world in need of clean drinking water. This year, Water Missions has put much of its focus on Haiti. The purification systems can treat 10,000 gallons of water a day, enough to provide 5,000 people with clean drinking water.

Goodwill’s check was meant to help with Water Missions’ efforts in Haiti of continuing to deliver clean water to survivors.

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, Health & Medicine, News

“Army Wives” cast push for more film tax incentives

July 12, 2010 By

Some members of the Lifetime series “Army Wives,” filmed in Charleston, rallied at a South Carolina Film Alliance meeting over the weekend and pushed for more incentives in the state’s film industry. Wendy Davis plays Lt. Colonel Joan Burton on “Army Wives” and says she doesn’t think people realize how much the film industry means for the state.

“The tax incentives are worth it. Look at how many people come here because they actually saw South Carolina on a television show or a movie, and they said, ‘Hey, wow, look at how beautiful that place is,’” says Davis. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government, Taxes

Woman accused of selling counterfeit handbags

July 12, 2010 By

A Grand Strand woman faces possible imprisonment for up to 10 years and a $2 million fine after admitting to selling counterfeit handbags online.

Theresa Kaufman, age 32 of Murrells Inlet, pleaded guilty at a federal court in Florence on Thursday to trafficking counterfeit handbags. Prosecutors said Kaufman and others were involved in operating a website out of Myrtle Beach that sold fake designer handbags.

The websites, which included Level21Inc.com and ReplicaBlue.com, sold bags that mimicked  manufacturers such a Louis Vitton, Prada, and Gucci. Some of the items were marketed as “replicas,” and all were well below the retail price. Items purchased through the site were then shipped out of Myrtle Beach.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

Graham says China manipulating fixed exchange rate

July 12, 2010 By

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham is calling for Congress to act against a Chinese government practice that he says hurts the United States.

At issue is China’s practice of tying its dollar equivalent, called the yuan, to the dollar on a fixed exchange rate which economists say keeps the yuan below its fair market value. However, in June the Chinese government announced it would allow the yuan greater flexibility against the dollar.

The move may have bought political capital for the Chinese, as the U.S. Treasury Department avoided blaming China in its semi-annual report, only saying the yuan is still undervalued. But Senator Lindsey Graham isn’t buying the reform, calling it a “political gesture” by China.

Graham complained that presidents from both parties have failed to state the obvious, that China is manipulating the yuan for an unfair competitive edge in prices against the U.S. He called on Congress to do what he says the President won’t: Pass legislation that challenges China’s practices.

Filed Under: Economy, News

Man pleads guilty to elaborate mail fraud scam

July 12, 2010 By

A Darlington man pleaded guilty to mail fraud last week ending a long, elaborate scam that involved fake letters from his creditors that fooled even credit agencies.

Larry Hickman, age 44 of Darlington, pleaded guilty in a Florence courtroom Thursday to charges of mail fraud. Prosecutors said Hickman filed disputes with Equifax and other credit rating agencies saying he did not have as many bad debts as were shown on his credit reports. To prove it, he showed letters between him and his creditors showing that someone else had been obtaining loans in his name.

However, the letters were fake. Hickman had created them to get a better credit history. Officials said Hickman was successful and was able to obtain loans for that which he would have otherwise been unqualified. Prosecutors said Hickman’s loans caused more than $38,000 in losses.

Hickman could face a fine of up to $1 million and 30 years in jail.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News
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