A federal grand jury in Charleston has issued a 12-count superseding indictment against Rose Emily Lorenzo, 64, of North Carolina. The new charges include one count of making a false statement to the FBI and two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation.
According to the indictment, Lorenzo allegedly told the FBI she was not aware of funds from two non-profits being transferred to a member of the North Charleston City Council. The indictment also alleges that she knowingly falsified records and documents with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence related federal investigations. These new allegations add to previous charges filed in February 2021, which included conspiracy to commit bribery involving programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud, theft from programs receiving federal funds, bribery related to such programs, honest services wire fraud, and money laundering.
Lorenzo faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. She is scheduled for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Molly H. Cherry on September 25 at 10:00 a.m.
The case is being 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.
“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.”
