Computers Seized From Greenville Councilman

Computers belonging to Greenville County Councilman Tony Trout were seized Friday amid allegations that he illegally communicated with a jury foreman investigating the county's road program.

Trout, who would not appear on camera with WSPA NewsChannel 7, said that the computers were seized as part of "politics." "It is all politics and retaliation," Trout said during a phone interview. "We're getting so close to finding out the truth about the road program that it has come down to this."

According to a story in The Greenville News, Trout's attorney, Jim Hennigan, said the State Law Enforcement Division seized four computers owned by Trout. Furthermore, a second SLED affidavit received by WSPA also said that state officials received permission to execute a seizure of computers owned by the jury foreman, David Smith.

The affidavit states that once seized, the agents are authorized to search the computers for any and all communications between Trout and Smith to determine not only the extent of the communications, but also the substance of any communications.  The affidavit says that sufficient probable cause to believe that evidence of potential criminal activities may exist on the computers and were sought by SLED Agent Gene Donohue.

Donohue, who also did not return phone calls from WSPA-TV, swore under oath in the affidavit that he was contacted by Judge John Few on October 25 regarding "improper dissemination of information regarding an internal grand jury proceeding occurring with the presently active grand jury for Greenville County and began an investigation into the matter. As such, Donohue contends that he received various e-mails which indicate communications between Trout and the prior grand jury foreman, which occurred outside the realm of any formal meeting of the grand jury or grand jury sub-committee.

The Greenville News states that Trout has accused Few of trying to hinder a grand jury investigation and called for Few's recusal and removal.

Few has not returned calls seeking comment.

Donohue states that he reviewed the e-mails and learned that the body of some of the e-mails obtained were designated "for your ears only" and were part of an attachment that was viewed as an attempt to keep the contents of the communication secret.

A follow-up to the investigation led Donohue to contend that an e-mail found on Trout's computer to Greenville News Editorial Board member Beth Padgett, was forwarded by Mr. Smith, thus believing that communications between Smith and Trout existed. 

The affidavit also alleges that 190 phone calls between Trout and Smith were made between January 1 until November 7, indicating an on-going pattern of communication between the two men, who also allegedly have a relationship that dates back to 2005.

According to Trout's website, www.tonytrout.com, he alleges misappropriation of taxpayer funds in the countywide program  and according to the article released in The Greenville News, Hennigan says Trout's "goal at all times is to operate within the law."

Additionally, Smith, who alleges in the Greenville News that SLED agents invaded his privacy, said "I'm caught in the middle of something here. I didn't ask to be on the grand jury." 

“They’re out to get Tony Trout is the way this thing looks to me,” Smith told the Greenville News, “and they’re going to probably try to use me as a vehicle to get him.”

Smith claims that he told Judge Few, that he has done road work under the countywide program as recently as 1999 and that he was familiar with the program and knows Trout.

Neither Smith, nor Hennigan immediately returned phone calls from WSPA-TV seeking comment.

The Greenville News contributed to this story