Nation IN BRIEF : SOUTH CAROLINA : Statehouse Sting Formally Closed

The undercover operation aimed at corruption in the South Carolina Statehouse was formally closed after netting 28 people on vote selling or drug charges. “While two cases await trial and numerous defendants await sentencing, there will be no further indictments,” U.S. Atty. Bart Daniel said. The FBI sting nicknamed Operation Lost Trust began in Columbia nearly three years ago, using a lobbyist and former legislator as an informant and operative. The sting focused on a bill in the 1990 legislative session to let voters decide whether to legalize gambling on dog and horse racing. Bribes were offered in exchange for legislative support.