Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Former South Carolina State University Trustee Jonathan Pinson has field paperwork in federal court challenging his conviction on federal public corruption charges.
Pinson's lawyers argue the evidence in the case was insufficient, and they want an acquittal. They also say that Pinson's role as a SC State trustee did not qualify him to be considered a "public official," and to be subject to laws governing those employees. He lawyers say he should be considered a "public member."
Pinson was found guilty last month of more than two dozen federal charges, including racketeering. Prosecutors said he abused his position at SC State to take money, and also skimmed funds from a low income Columbia housing project and a Marion County diaper plant.
Pinson, though, argued throughout the trial that he never got money from those deals.
A friend and business partner of Pinson, Eric Robinson, was found not guilty of the charges against him during the same trial.
