Only In South Carolina Can You Find The Words "Extortion" and "Cockfighting" In the Same Sentence

From the state where the governor brought livestock into the State House comes word that the Commission of Agriculture, Republican Charles Sharpe, has been indicted for his involvement with a cockfighting ring.

According to the AP, Sharpe is accused of accepting at least $20,000 from an organization involved in breeding and raising birds for cockfighting in exchange for helping the group avoid legal trouble.  He was allegedlly working on behalf of the South Carolina Gamefowl Management Association.

The Augusta Chronicle reported on a law enforcement raid on the same facility last fall, and printed the names of 118 people arrested at the time.