Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009

Clemson council member suspended

CLEMSON - Gov. Mark Sanford has suspended a city councilwoman accused of falsely claiming her daughter had cancer to solicit money.

Clemson City Council member Elouise James was removed from her post Friday. She has said none of the allegations is true, and the case is a farce.

James was arrested in September on charges including exploitation of a vulnerable adult and obtaining goods by false pretenses. Prosecutors say she lied about her daughter to get her out of legal trouble. Prosecutors say she forged a letter from a cancer center in an unsuccessful attempt to keep authorities from pursuing forgery charges. She's also accused of using a power of attorney to get a reverse mortgage on her mother's home.

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