Nothing to see here, move along

Steve Benjamin sounded like an impersonation of Barney Fife in an Andy Griffith re-run after his long-awaited statement.

“I have done nothing illegal,” Benjamin said Thursday.

A day after Benjamin's friend and associate Jonathan Pinson was found guilty, Benjamin said he can explain it all.

A property deal, where it was said in court, that $50,000 was needed for Benjamin, was all legitimate, Benjamin said. He got out of the deal and that was it.
Benjamin also said:  “As has been reported accurately over the past few weeks, I have not been charged with any criminal offenses. Now that a verdict has been rendered, it needs to be made clear that I have done nothing illegal," in his statement, Thursday.

Do you buy that? Will those words of reassurance fade into a lazy summer July of 4th holiday? Or, is there a fireworks show coming?

Benjamin is an attorney and his words, of course, were well-chosen.

Benjamin was accused, in court during Pinson's trial, of leaving an exotic dance club (commonly known as a strip joint) with female company. That's no crime.

Benjamin said: “However to be clear, I did not at any time engage in any illegal activity while (on a trip with Pinson) in Orlando.”
He also stated Thursday “I regret being present for certain aspects of the previously referenced trip. I should have used better judgment.”

Whew, I'll say. Talk about an understatement.

Lot's of wiggle room there. But no so much for a married man. It's doubtful the partying can be so easily explained away on a "personal" level. You have to cringe just thinking of the exchanges, at home those court revelations triggered. How proficient as an attorney must Benjamin be to navigate that?

I guess time will tell.

And oh yeah, the inquiry from the ethics commission about the $7-to-$8,000 trip being a gift from a rich developer to a powerful politician. That is nothing too, says Benjamin. Just a big misunderstanding. Like so much of it.

Benjamin said: "The South Carolina State Ethics Commission has inquired about a one day business trip to Orlando that was not related in any way to city of Columbia business." He said he is sure he'll get them straight on that. No worries.

So go on now, have a happy Fourth. Enjoy the fireworks. Nothing to see here.