Bamberg accountant pleads guilty

Staff Report

Circuit Court Judge Jack Early sentenced Bamberg accountant Flint Smith to nine years, suspended to five years probation, after Smith pled guilty to charges that he spent an investor's money for his own personal expenses.

On Monday, March 14, 2011, Smith pled guilty to one count breach of trust and one count of obstruction of justice.

Judge Early ordered Smith to pay restitution of $125,000 in installments of $2500 per month and was warned by Judge Early that if he misses a payment, his probation would be revoked and the full sentence of 10 years in prison on each charge could be enforced.

According to prosecutors, Flint Smith of Bamberg, 57, conned an investor into a six figure stock purchase.

On May 12, 2008, the victim gave Smith $125,000 to purchase stock for him, but the victim never received any stock and bank records reflect that Smith used the money for his and his wife's personal expenses said prosecutors.

On or around May 19, 2010, and after his indictment by the Bamberg County grand jury, Smith attempted to ask a former employee to lie to state investigators concerning a bogus promissory note, asking her to say that she had witnessed him giving the note to the victim. The victim never received the note.

B-E JV and Varsity baseball teams pick up wins

Jerry E. Halmon, Sports Editor

This week the Red Raider JV and Varsity baseball teams pick up two more wins each. The JV team defeated Branchville 12-2. The Winning pitcher was Anthony Chandler. The JV team also defeated Williston-Elko 21-1. The winning pitcher was Calder West.

In varsity baseball: The B-E team defeated Branchville 21-1. The winning pitcher was Mitch Whetstone.

The B-E varsity baseball team (7-3,7-0) ended the week with a 23-1 win over Whale Branch. The winning pitcher was Randon Sandifer, who allowed 1 run, on 2 hits while striking out 12 batters.

Election April 5th

Joyce M. Searson, Publisher

On Tuesday, April 5th voters in the City of Bamberg will go to the polls to fill one open Commissioner’s seat for a six year- term on the Bamberg Board of Public Works and to fill three open seats on Bamberg City Council for a term of four years each.

In the election for a commissioner’s seat on the Bamberg Board of Public Works, four candidates; Bob Clary, Jeff Deibel, Sharon Hammond and William 'Matt' Medlin are running to fill this position. The commissioner’s election is at large and all precincts are involved.

In the election for three seats on the Bamberg City Council; in District 1, Betty Mack and Linda Hayes Hudson are seeking election, and in District 2 incumbent Cynthia Summers will face challenger Paul Sandifer. District 3, incumbent Janeth Walker is unopposed.

Bamberg Red Cross

Jerry Durgan, Contributing Writer

The Bamberg Civic Center was wall-to-wall with Bingo players Friday, March 25, purchasing tickets and using every available Bingo card to play more than a dozen exciting games and winning more than a dozen of prizes averaging at least $50 per winner.

“This was perhaps the best turnout we’ve had since we began the games over ten years ago,” said Harvey Kling, Executive Director of the Bamberg Chapter of the Red Cross.

“The money raised goes directly to disaster relief for families in Bamberg County. This is truly a ‘neighbor-to-neighbor’ support for the citizens of the county. We don’t know how much was raised tonight,” Sandifer said, “but when it’s all tallied we’ll announce it.”