Ex-SC State trustee’s corruption trial ending

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The public corruption case of a former South Carolina State University trustee will soon be in the jury’s hands.

In closing statements Friday, prosecutors accused Jonathan Pinson of taking money by using his position with the university and skimming money from a low-income Columbia housing project and a Marion County diaper plant.

Authorities say Pinson also used his position to try to get the school to buy land from a Florida developer so he could get a Porsche SUV as a thank-you gift.

In their closing arguments, defense attorneys say Pinson never benefited from any of the deals that prosecutors accused him of making. They also said several co-defendants exaggerated Pinson’s role to authorities to avoid prison time.

Jury deliberations are not expected until Monday.