COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say the former chairman of South Carolina State University's board of trustees should forfeit about $350,000 following his conviction on public corruption charges.
Local media outlets report that the federal government said at a hearing Wednesday that Jonathan Pinson illegally took that money while carrying out plans for a low-income Columbia housing development and the development of a diaper plant.
Pinson's attorneys say he should pay far less. He was convicted in July on 29 counts including racketeering, kickbacks and money laundering but was acquitted on other counts that involved similar evidence.
Authorities say Pinson skimmed federal money going to both projects, and then filed false paperwork to get more money from the government.
He faces up to 20 years in prison and has appealed his conviction.