[DiscoverMB]

A firestorm is brewing in Myrtle Beach over the recent questions raised by BOOST (Business Owners Organized to Support Tourism) regarding campaign contributions to area and state candidates.

On Friday, an attorney for Brant Branham, board chairman of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter via email to BOOST warning them to cease and desist from publishing or communicating any statements regarding Branham or his business interests that they claim are defamatory.

BOOST has questioned donations made by 24 companies who each donated $1,000 to various local and state candidates incumbents Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes, city council members Chuck Martino and Randall Wallace and State Representatives Thad Viers, Nelson Hardwick, Liston Barfield, George Hearn, Alan Clemmons, State Senator Ray Cleary and Gubernatorial Candidate and US Congressman Gresham Barrett (who received $3,500 from each company).

This afternoon, BOOST has issued a response to Branham's attorney with a harsh and counter-warning of their own.

In the letter BOOST states their questions are 'a fundamental freedom' under free speech and are protected under the First Amendment. the letter also continues to state that BOOST looks forward to a lawsuit brought on by Branham and/or the Chamber of Commerce and BOOST will subpoena the Chamber, every member, lobbyist and employee of the Chamber and its Board. They further state they will subpoena Mayor John Rhodes, city councilmen and other elected officials who received the questionable campaign contributions.

BOOST says they will also subpoena the banks, telephone and internet providers of all the above to get their hands on each and every financial transaction, telephone call, email and related text message in order to know what everyone knew and when they knew it.

BOOST also brings up a law on South Carolina's books called writ of qui tam which allows private citizens to sue when an organization wrongfully takes government funds. If BOOST is sued for defamation, they would file a counter claim for the almost $200 million in taxpayer funds paid or to be paid the Myrtle Beach Chamber.

The harsh letter by BOOST is also threatening Branham and the Chamber with the federal anti-racketeering law, known as RICO.

A press release, posted on BOOST's website also claims that BOOST will counter-sue under whistle blower and anti-racketeering laws and wants to know if the they would also sue The Sun News for its Sunday editorial for using the words 'bride' and talking about shell corporations.

The press release also mentions a recent flier which has been circling Myrtle Beach this past weekend. The flier makes harsh attacks on Chamber President Brad Dean and his wife calling for a "rebellion" and time to "unseat the power hungry city council" whose been bought by "powerful business interests."

The flier goes on to claim the city council "ran off the most profitable group of tourists we had during a major recession, then raised your taxes." It states Dean is to blame.

Adding horrible profane insults to Dean's wife, the flier also says that Dean's wife is an illegal alien. However, Dean's wife hails from Puerto Rico, which makes her a citizen.

Four candidates for mayor and city council are endorsed on the flier, calling them "representatives that listen". The candidates mentioned, Mark McBride (mayoral) and city council candidates Mike Lowder, Adam Parness and Karen Mitchell all have denounced the flier over the weekend.

BOOST denies any involvement in the creation or distribution of the flier and called it a disgusting attack through their press release.

BOOST spokesman, Tom Herron, goes on to say that the flier is a false flag and blatant attempt by 'the other side' to gain voter sympathy and demonize Herron and BOOST.

Throughout the weekend, speculation has been thrown around as to the identity of the flier's creator.

In a call to BOOST, spokesperson, Tom Herron said "This story has never been about BOOST" and he expects the media to do their job and report on the actual story behind the campaign contributions.

Those watching the story, which began to unfold two weeks ago will certainly be watching and waiting for a response from Branham and the chamber's attorneys.

With just a week away from the elections in Myrtle Beach it has become arguably the most controversial election in the city's history.

Link to Branham's Attorney's Letter to BOOST
http://www.boostmyrt...owers2Boost.PDF

Link to BOOST's Letter of Response
http://www.boostmyrt...ndstoBowers.PDF

Link to BOOST's Press Release Regarding Threat
http://www.discoverm...jectsThreat.pdf

[phroggy]

John Grisham couldn't write stuff this good!!!