On Wednesday, United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Jeffrey Alan Benjamin to 12 months and one day in federal prison to be followed by a two year term of supervised release today per an email sent to MyrtleBeachSC News by Veronica Hill, Public Affairs Specialist with the United States Attorney’s Office.

Jeffrey Alan Benjamin must also pay a $100,000 fine.

Jeffrey Benjamin, aged 62, the last of the four criminals involved in the failed $9 billion V.C. Summer nuclear project, which resulted in the downfall of SCANA, a major electric utility in South Carolina. The project not only caused an increase in electric bills for customers but also shattered hopes for further development of clean energy in the state.

Jeffrey Benjamin was certainly the fall guy for Senator Luke Rankin, the Santee Cooper Board, and PURC (Public Utilities Review Committee).

The South Carolina Public Utilities Review Committee (PURC), also known as the Public Service Commission (PSC), regulates utilities in South Carolina. The PURC sets standards, regulations, and practices for public utilities in the state.

The lingering inquiry revolves around how Rankin and the Santee Cooper Board were unaware of the utility’s problems until the state suffered a loss of $9.8 billion. Why didn’t they reach out to Jeffrey Alan Benjamin at the first sign of concerns?

Even as the fall guy, Jeffery Benjamin got off easy.

As per federal sentencing laws, he may be eligible for early release, two months ahead of schedule, due to the sentence exceeding one year.

In 2017, SCANA’s unexpected shutdown of the V.C. Summer nuclear plant triggered a series of events. This closure resulted in the unemployment of approximately 4,000 individuals, initiated a lengthy FBI investigation, and culminated in the indictment of four high-ranking executives, including Benjamin.

South Carolina residents incurred a total expenditure of $9.8 billion due to the actions taken. The State of South Carolina is the owner of Santee Cooper, a publicly-owned utility company.

Under Rankin’s supervision, the Senate and S.C. State legislature have approved an increase of over 20% in electricity rates anticipated for this year.

No elected officials, including Senator Luke Rankin of South Carolina who leads the Senate Public Utilities Review Committee, will face imprisonment.

Jeffrey Alan Benjamin Sentenced – Rankin sticks SC Consumers with massive utility hikes

Rankin heads the Public Utilities Review Committee in the S.C. Senate.