Consultant sentenced for bribery schemes involving North Charleston council members

The US Department of Justice said Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role in two schemes involving bribes to North Charleston City Council members. He was also ordered to forfeit $30,000 and serve two years of court-ordered supervision.

According to the DOJ, Sea Fox Boat Company paid Hicks $30,000 as a consultant to support a proposed zoning change, and Hicks paid council members for influence and official action. The DOJ also said Hicks knew of payments made by another individual to a council member; the source does not describe separate charges or outcomes for the other individuals named.