Things have been frighteningly quiet in upstate South Carolina for the past few weeks with regard to the Thornblade saga – a series of alleged scandals surrounding an upscale neighborhood and exclusive golf club located in the suburbs of Greenville, SC
And quiet is only how wealthy and influential local citizens at the center of these scandals expect things to continue …
Unfortunately, there are two federal investigations underway related to the saga – which first appeared on our radar almost two months ago.
As we reported exclusively on July 23, 2020, allegations of serious financial irregularities in the prestigious Thornblade Club led to an investigation by the US Secret Service (USSS) – an agency with broad jurisdictional authority when it comes to “cyber-enabled financial crimes”.
Since then, these financial claims have received coverage from the traditional media, courtesy of The Greenville News.
But there are far more serious allegations being investigated by agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) special investigative unit – including the alleged activities of a group of men who apparently refer to themselves as “The Disciples”.
According to our sources, the members of this secret club would pay an estimate $ 5,000 for $ 10,000 a month to enjoy your “amenities” – including young sexual partners provided by nearby schools. Although the association obviously had its privileges, the club apparently had a strict “no cancellation” policy.
When a “Disciple” wanted to leave earlier this year, he was told in no uncertain terms that leaving was no one option. When the member refused to pay his tuition, his wife reportedly received video evidence of her husband’s infidelity.
Some of these “Disciples” are members of the Thornblade club, we are told.
What kind of activities are the feds investigating in relation to all of this? It is not immediately clear, although some light was recently shed on the case when Greenville, SC insurance marketing executive Rick Mathews issued a statement related to his recent divorce from Jennifer Mathews – who runs a yoga and pilates studio in Greenville.
This news outlet previously reported that a family court drama upstate was somewhat connected to the Thornblade saga – and the Mathews case certainly seems to fit the bill.
On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, we reported that Rick Mathews had been interviewed the previous Tuesday (August 25, 2020) by agents from the DHS Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit. According to our sources, Mathews was questioned for more than three hours by investigators.
Two days later, Mathews issued a statement through his attorney confirming our account.
“I found out at the end of June this year that my wife, Jennifer Mathews, had been involved in several extramarital activities,” said Mathews in the statement. “Upon learning of this fact, we separated and I asked for a divorce in July.”
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RELATED || THE THORNBLADE SAGA
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Mathews added that he was aware “that an investigation is being conducted” and that although he “was not suspected of any illegal activity, I am fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to do so”.
The USSS and HSI investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, sources tell us that the Greenville County sheriff’s office – which was informed of allegations involving the club’s finances in May this year – launched an internal investigation into the proximity of one of its officers to the related scandals.
Specifically, the inquiry sought to determine whether the deputy in question did not report his knowledge of alleged illegal activity – including the disclosure of sexually explicit material to minors – to his superiors.
According to our sources, the deputy in question was no disciplined by the sheriff’s office – however, it is likely to be questioned by HSI about its alleged knowledge of the various scandals and proximity to some of its protagonists.
What kind of “closeness” are we talking about?
The deputy in question is a “family friend” of Rick and Jennifer Mathews (below), say our sources.
(Click to view)
(Via: Instagram)
At the time of writing, we have been informed that the internal investigation conducted by the Greenville sheriff’s office on the deputy’s conduct has been completed and that the local agency has no plans to investigate the matter further.
Once again, however, we are told that HSI is trying to question the deputy regarding his investigation.
HSI agents have also been asking questions about Brian Gem Garrison – a former assistant tennis coach in Eastside High School in Taylors, SC, who was arrested and charged with contributing to a juvenile’s delinquency last spring.
These charges are still pending …
The investigators were also “looking to interview several current students and alumni of Eastside High School – as well as several current employees and alumni of the Thornblade Club,” according to one of our previous reports.
How do all these pieces fit together?
Good question. Since the beginning of our coverage, we’ve focused on three separate Thornblade scandals: 1) allegations of embezzlement involving the neighborhood golf club, 2) allegations of a “prostitution ring” (or “sex chain”) involving several Thornblade residents; and 3) allegations involving an “athletics team at a government-run high school near Taylors, SC” that would be connected in some way to the prostitution / sex network charges.
There are also reports of blackmail related to the prostitution / sex network rumor.
Stay tuned … we will continue to do our best to filter the information we receive related to all these scandals.
In the meantime, we are told that “half of Greenville is protected by a lawyer” in response to our ongoing report on the Thornblade saga – which has prompted several of our sources to warn us to “be careful” as we proceed.
-FITSNews
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Flag: Greenville County Sheriff’s Office