City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Division Employee Indicted for Illegal Payments from Contractors

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Damon McDuffie, age 34, of Columbia, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count Indictment arising from the solicitation and receipt of illegal payments from contractors in his position as an employee of the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Division. The Indictment alleges that from October 2006 through January 2010, McDuffie accepted such kickbacks from contractors for projects including the refurbishment of a bridge at Columbia’s Riverfront Park.

William Nettles stated the maximum penalty McDuffie could receive as to Counts One and Two is up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 per count.

Mr. Nettles stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Mark C. Moore of the Columbia office for prosecution. The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.