Convicted economist's properties go on block
CHARLESTON --- A mansion, a beach house and two other properties belonging to an economist who admitted defrauding hundreds of investors sold for about $3.5 million at auction Tuesday.
The properties owned by Al Parish were bought by the National Bank of South Carolina, which already held mortgages on them, said David Dantzler, an attorney helping tally Mr. Parish's assets.
A lawyer representing the bank would not comment after the auction.
About 100 people turned out for the auction, held in a warehouse amid antique chairs, tables and paintings. In all, the auction lasted about 10 minutes.
Mr. Parish's 2,000-square-foot house on Edisto Beach brought a bid of $1.55 million, while his rambling 7,000-square-foot mansion in Summerville sold for $900,000. His Edisto Beach condo sold for $415,000, and a town house in Charleston's historic district went for $750,000.
Mr. Parish, a former Charleston Southern University economist with a penchant for loud sports coats and flashy cars, pleaded guilty last year to fraud and lying to investigators. He is under house arrest. No date for his sentencing has been set.
Authorities allege his investment company swindled investors of an estimated $90 million.
Bullets hit school bus; no one aboard is hurt
LEXINGTON --- Deputies say they are looking for the person who shot at a Lexington County school bus with three disabled children on board.
Lexington District 1 spokeswoman Mary Beth Hill says the bus driver heard a loud pop as she drove on Interstate 20 between U.S. Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 378 on Monday.
Ms. Hill says the driver noticed a hole in the side of the bus at the next stop and called the sheriff's department.
Deputies say the bullet, from a small-caliber handgun or rifle, went through the right side of the bus and was found on the floor in front of an aide's seat.
No one was injured. Officials say the three 5-year-old pupils were taken home on another bus.
Under bill, state would recognize Juneteenth
COLUMBIA --- South Carolina would officially recognize the emancipation of slaves under a bill that won approval in the House on Tuesday.
South Carolina, the first state to secede from the Union, would recognize "Juneteenth" to commemorate June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived at Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War was over and slaves were free.
South Carolina would be the 28th state to adopt a permanent recognition, said Dr. Ronald V. Myers, the founder and chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, a group advocating federal, state and local recognition. Only Texas has made it a holiday for state workers.
The Palmetto State has in the past approved temporary resolutions honoring Juneteenth. This proposal would make it an annual recognition "to commemorate and reflect on the freedom of African Americans and their contributions to this State and nation," according to the bill.
-- Edited from wire reports
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