Former South Carolina traffic officer arrested…
A former South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) official was arrested this week and charged with breach of trust in connection with a years-long scam at local gas pumps.
According to a press release from the SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the 41-year-old Jason Blair Gaston of Chester, SC, was arrested on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) and charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent valued at more than 10,000 US dollars in connection with several fraudulent transactions.
According to a probable cause affidavit attached to a warrant for his arrest, “over a period of several years, Gaston used a fuel credit card issued by SDCDOT to fraudulently purchase gasoline and diesel fuel for his personal use and that of several individuals without authorization” from the agency.
According to the arrest warrant, SCDOT allegedly used “maintenance records, daily mileage logs, and fuel card transaction reports” to uncover Gaston’s fraudulent purchases.
How much stolen gas are we talking about? Between September 1, 2021 and April 22, 2024, Gaston is estimated to have stolen 4,269.85 Gallons of fuel worth 13,364.62 USD.
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“There is surveillance video of multiple instances where Gaston used the state’s gas card to make unauthorized purchases,” the affidavit continues.
In addition, “witness testimony confirmed that Gaston was regularly purchasing fuel for them as early as late 2022” and “receiving money from them” in exchange for that fuel.
According to the South Carolina Code of Laws (§ 16-13-230), Gaston faces a felony charge punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine as determined by the court.
Like everyone charged with a crime, Gaston is presumed innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system – or until he chooses to enter into some form of contest as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors regarding any of the charges against him.
Gaston was taken to the Chester County Detention Center. His case is being prosecuted by the South Carolina Sixth District Attorney’s Office. Randy E. Newman, Jr. Given the amount of taxpayer money Gaston embezzled – and the breach of trust he allegedly committed with the public – it is to be hoped that the state will insist on a ruling that will also send a clear message to other public officials regarding the use of taxpayer money for personal gain.
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RELEASE/GUARANTEE…
(SLEDS)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Want people is the founding editor of the news channel you are reading. Before founding FITSNews, he was press secretary for the Governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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