R.J. May III Faces Federal Investigation Amid House District 88 Campaign

R.J. May III Under Investigation Amidst House District 88 Campaign

Columbia, South Carolina — It’s not every day that political campaigns encounter a twist like this! State Rep. R.J. May III is currently the focus of a federal criminal investigation, as indicated in a recent court filing. This revelation establishes him as the likely subject of a forthcoming criminal indictment which may occur within the next three months. It’s intriguing, to say the least, especially with elections just around the corner!

What We Know So Far

The court filing confirmed what had mostly been floating around as speculation: that May, who represents House District 88, is facing scrutiny from federal authorities. Until this point, he had not directly addressed the swirling rumors regarding the investigation, but now the situation is official.

May is gearing up to run for a third term, and interestingly enough, he currently is the only name on the ballot. However, a business owner named Brian Duncan has decided to throw a twist into the mix by launching a write-in campaign against him. This adds a layer of contention amidst the unfolding drama.

Seized Electronics and Ongoing Legal Actions

The filing doesn’t provide any specific details on what charges May might face, which leaves room for imagination (and concern!). However, it does reveal that various electronics were seized during a search at May’s residence on August 5. These items include:

• One Lenovo laptop
• One Amazon tablet
• Four cell phones
• Four hard drives
• Four SD cards
• Two DVD-Rs
• Nineteen thumb drives

Federal authorities are looking to take permanent possession of these items as part of a legal proceeding known as a “judicial forfeiture action.” In response, May is contesting the seizure, which certainly hints at a heated legal battle ahead.

Background on the Investigation

Let’s rewind a bit. Back in August, reports surfaced that agents from the Homeland Security Investigations unit had conducted a search at May’s house. This agency typically tackles serious matters like child exploitation and human trafficking, among other federal criminal investigations. This adds a heavy weight to the situation, as these issues are of utmost concern to communities everywhere.

Since the search, May has maintained radio silence regarding these investigations. He has usually been quite available for media inquiries, which makes his sudden absence a conspicuous development. Interestingly, when asked about Duncan’s claims regarding his presence in the district, May shot back, dismissing them as inaccurate but did not address the investigation directly.

The Political Landscape Shifts

In the political arena, May, at just 37 years old, has made quite a name for himself since he was first elected to the S.C. House in 2020. He previously served as the chair of the state Freedom Caucus, a group known for its staunch conservative values. May played a crucial role in its formation and has been vocal in his beliefs, often clashing with more moderate Republicans.

Not everyone in politics has been unconditionally supportive, though. Some members of the Freedom Caucus have expressed surprise upon learning about the investigation. State Rep. Ryan McCabe, a fellow member, shared that he was unaware of the legal action but claimed he knows May to be a person of integrity.

Looking Ahead

The federal case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Matthews and Carrie Fisher Sherard, with a federal judge overseeing proceedings. Meanwhile, the community is abuzz with discussions regarding the implications this investigation could have on May’s campaign and the district as a whole. With elections coming up shortly, all eyes will be on both May and Duncan as they navigate this unusual yet pivotal moment in South Carolina politics.

As this story unfolds, many will be watching to see how the investigation impacts May’s ability to represent his constituents and whether he can maintain his grip on District 88 amidst such serious allegations.