Additional Charges Filed for Conspirator in North Charleston Public Corruption Scheme

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A federal grand jury in Charleston returned a 12-count superseding indictment against Rose Emily Lorenzo, 64, of North Carolina, including one count of making a false statement to the FBI and two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation.

The additional charges in the superseding indictment allege that Lorenzo knowingly made a false statement to the FBI by telling them that she was not aware of funds from two non-profits being transferred to a member of the North Charleston City Council. Further, the additional charges allege that Lorenzo knowingly falsified records and documents with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the related federal investigations. Lorenzo was initially charged with conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud, theft with respect to programs receiving federal funds, bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering in February 2021.

Lorenzo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, and will be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Molly H. Cherry on Sept. 25 at 10:00 a.m.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Sowards and Emily Limehouse are prosecuting the case.

All charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations, and Lorenzo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###