Agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) special investigations unit are stepping up their investigations on a series of allegations centered on an exclusive and upscale neighborhood in the suburbs of Greenville, South Carolina.
Two and a half weeks ago, our news media reported exclusively that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – a division of DHS that participates “in more than 120 human trafficking task forces across the country, alongside other federal laws, tribal, state and local execution ”- was investigating allegations of human trafficking connected to sex rumors and prostitution networks in Palmetto.
And specifically, the allegations involving the prestigious Thornblade Club – which is located about five miles east of Greenville, SC, within the Thornblade subdivision (the club and its neighborhood are separate entities, however).
We have also been informed that the agency is investigating allegations involving students (current and former) in Eastside High School in Taylors, SC – and possibly another government-run school in Greenville County.
Surprisingly, it all started with reports of fraud at the golf club – which is known for hosting an annual charity tournament sponsored by BMW.
As we reported exclusively on July 27, 2020, allegations of serious financial irregularities at the club led to an investigation by the United States Secret Service (USSS) – which has broad jurisdictional authority when it comes to “cyber-enabled financial crimes”.
Since then, these allegations have received traditional media coverage, courtesy of The Greenville News.
What else is the USSS looking at? And are they collaborating with HSI in their investigations?
Good questions …
Since we erased this story over a month ago, we have focused our attention on three separate Thornblade scandals: 1) allegations of embezzlement involving the neighborhood golf club, 2) allegations of a “prostitution ring” (or “Red sex ”) 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 rumors from the prostitution / sex network.
Although these allegations dominated discussions within the state – including forums on the sports website Tiger Illustrated (a Rivals.com publication) – much of the information we receive is idle speculation.
But there are some topics that we have found that are worth pulling out …
At the beginning of this saga, we reported that investigators were looking to question a former athletics coach at Eastside about his alleged proximity to some of the “central figures” in this unfolding drama.
According to our sources, one of these “central figures” is said to be involved in a Greenville County family court issue – although no further details on the case have been provided.
Slowly, we are starting to put some of these details together …
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RELATED || THE THORNBLADE SAGA
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Sources familiar with the investigation told us that HSI agents recently conducted a lengthy interview with Greenville, SC insurance marketing executive. Rick Mathews. According to these sources, Mathews was represented by a state deputy Bruce Bannister in the “family court matter” mentioned earlier.
According to our sources, HSI agents questioned Mathews extensively last Tuesday (August 25, 2020) about his recent divorce from Jennifer Mathews – who runs a yoga and pilates studio in Greenville.
“Jennifer Mathews’ husband was interviewed for three hours,” a source familiar with the investigation told us.
What did the agents want to know?
All sorts of things, we’re told … including details about certain video recordings allegedly provided to them in connection with their investigation.
All we can say at this point is that Mathews’ divorce case – details of which have not yet been disclosed – feature prominently in the various narratives related to Thornblade.
This news medium reached Rick and Jennifer Mathews (below) – and its attorneys – for comments. We did not receive responses immediately. In the event that we receive answers to our questions, we will be sure to forward them to our readers.
And, of course, our news media has an open mic policy …
(Click to view)
(Via: Instagram)
In addition, we are informed that the former athletics coach who was wanted for questioning in connection with the HSI inquiry is Brian Gem Garrison – a former assistant tennis coach at Eastside High School who was arrested and charged with contributing to a minor’s delinquency last spring.
That charge is still pending, according to Greenville County court records.
“During the course of the investigation, investigators found that Garrison … had provided the student with tobacco products, as well as a cell phone used to circumvent the discipline of the minor’s parents,” noted an April 2019 statement from the office. of the Greenville County Sheriff.
Garrison’s proximity to the Mathews divorce case is not yet known, but sources familiar with the investigation tell us that HSI investigators want to talk to him anyway. They are also looking to interview several current students and alumni of Eastside High School – as well as several current employees and former employees of the Thornblade Club.
Where will all this lead? We do not know …
As we reported earlier, the allegations we have been tracking revolve around a group of men who apparently refer to themselves as “The Disciples” – although we have been warned that the ongoing investigation is not limited to that group.
An important disclaimer: as we said from the beginning of our report on this subject, controversial behavior is not the same as Criminal behavior. In addition, consensual sexual acts between consenting individuals are, well, “consensual”.
These are important distinctions to keep in mind …
Result? We will continue to do our best to find out what happened … particularly with regard to the status of the two pending federal inquiries.
-FITSNews
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Flag: US Department of Homeland Security