3 North Charleston councilmembers charged in months-long corruption investigation

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Federal authorities will make an announcement Wednesday afternoon regarding a criminal case that involves a North Charleston city councilman.

Brook B. Andrews, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Steve Jenson will hold a press conference in Mount Pleasant to discuss circumstances related to the case.

Filings obtained by News 2 show that city councilman Jerome Heyward, who represents District 5, signed an agreement to plead guilty to 14 counts that include attempted extortion and bribery charges among many others.

Heyward is accused of using his position as a North Charleston City Councilman to engage in three schemes to enrich himself through bribes, kickbacks, extortion, and the “deprive the citizens and the government of North Charleston,” according to documents.

In one scheme, Heyward is accused of extorting a businessman by soliciting payments in exchange for his official action as a city councilman.

In another, he allegedly accepted bribes from an individual working on behalf of a company with business before North Charleston City Council in exchange for his official action related to that business, and in the third scheme, Heyward embezzled funds belonging to the city by soliciting and accepting payments from non-profit organizations that received grant funds from the city in exchange for his official action.

This is a developing story. Keep checking counton2.com for updates.