Prosecutors: Sexual Ties Between Sponseller, Duncan
Tom Sponseller, who killed himself in February, had sexually-oriented photos of Rachel Duncan, who pleaded guilty Wednesday to tax fraud, on his computer, prosecutors say.
Tom Sponseller, former director of the S.C. Hospitality Association, might have had a sexual relationship with the accountant who pleaded guilty to embezzling money from the organization, prosecutors said Wednesday in federal court.
Prosecutors said they found sexually-oriented photos of accountant Rachel Duncan on Sponseller's computer, according to a report from WIS.
Duncan was in federal court in Columbia to plead guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion charges, according to the report. She is accused of taking more than $480,000 from the association to use for online gambling.
But prosecutors found no indication that Sponseller received any of the stolen money, according to the Assoicated Press.
Duncan worked closely with Sponseller, who committed suicide in February after federal officials started investigating the missing money.
Sponseller wrote in his suicide note that Duncan confessed to him about the embezzlement, but he never mentioned a sexual relationship with her.
Duncan, who is out on bond, faces up to 23 years in prison and up to $350,000 in fines, according to WIS.
Laura
3:09 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Why even mention it. Stop dragging his name through the mud. The guy is dead, he left behind a family that is greiving. Why cause them more pain. Think about the reactions of his loved ones. Is this story realy worth it?
Chris Winston
3:37 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thanks for the comment, Laura.
I'm sure you're right, that this is difficult for everyone involved. But it's also important that we try to make sense of the tragic stories that happen in our community. And that is what this article is trying to do.
Chris Winston
Regional Editor for S.C. Patch
RICK MARTINEZ
4:26 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Laura,
If your job was a Reporter and you were assigned to cover this man and his story would you refuse?
Laura
4:54 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Yes! You can still give facts of the case. But to state they MIGHT of been sexually involved is wrong. He is not here to defend himself. What's to say she hadn't been sending pictures of herself, trying to seduce him.
Chris Winston
10:47 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I also found it odd that prosecutors decided to bring that up at today's plea. But since they decided to share that with the judge and the public, we felt like it was an important detail to share with readers.