Jul 21 2008
Rauch Resigns Beaufort Mayoralship
BEAUFORT — Mayor Bill Rauch resigned his seat today after fellow council members last week urged the three-term mayor to step down.
Rauch was charged with insider trading Wednesday and agreed to pay $44,000 to settle the case brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, though he admitted no wrongdoing.
The charge of impropriety wasn’t the first for the mayor. Last year, Rauch was accused of attempting to solicit a bribe, though that charge was dismissed by the State Ethics Commission in April.
Rauch has been one negative media story after another. There is far too much conflict surrounding this guy for him to have remained a competent and trusted mayor. He made the correct decision to step aside.
