Judge won’t toss wiretaps in SC State case

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A federal judge won’t throw out wiretap evidence against a former South Carolina State University trustee. U.S. District Judge David Norton on Wednesday also denied a request by Jonathan Pinson’s attorneys that a racketeering charge against him be dismissed. Pinson is accused of taking kickbacks in exchange for arranging business deals involving S.C. State. That includes trying to get the Orangeburg school to buy land from a Florida developer in exchange for a Porsche SUV as a “thank you” gift for Pinson. Prosecutors say they heard Pinson discussing a deal with a former campus police chief, who they said also agreed to help promote the property sale in exchange for money and gifts. Norton also refused to hold separate trials for Pinson and another defendant, Greenville businessman Eric Robinson.