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SCLC board member supports Trammell

Analysis of seized evidence in SCLC investigation may take months, experts say

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By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer Updated 12:58 PM Friday, February 12, 2010

DAYTON — A board member of the Dayton chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference expressed support for Rev. Raleigh Trammell on Friday, a day after federal agents raided Trammell’s home and offices.

“As a board member, I stand by Rev. Trammell,” said Don Black. “I’ve known him a long time and consider him a friend.

“Of course, until all the issues are put on the table, then we don’t know what the underlying issues are,” Black said.

On Thursday, Feb. 11, FBI agents carrying search warrants entered local SCLC headquarters at 2132 W. Third Street, as well as Trammell’s home at 1505 Olmstead Place, and the home of his daughter, Angela Goodwine, at 1482 Vernon Drive. They removed computers, cardboard file boxes and plastic storage containers.

The raids followed accusations that Trammell, national board chairman of the SCLC, stole money from the civil rights group.

The SCLC is investigating Trammell and the group’s treasurer, Spiver Gordon, alleging that they are involved in the misappropriation of $569,000.

No charges have been filed against Trammell or Gordon.

FBI spokesman Michael Brooks could not comment on any possible further searches of SCLC-related properties.

“The warrants yesterday that we executed were sealed, so we can’t comment on the substance of them or where our investigation might lead to,” Brooks said.

Under normal circumstances, the warrants only would be unsealed on the filing of criminal charges, Brooks said. Brooks could not comment on “when or if something would happen,” he said.

Black, who was present at Thursday’s raid at SCLC headquarters, supports Trammell.

“No one knows what the end results would be, but at this point, until he’s found guilty of something, then I would have to stand beside him,” Black said.

Black was authorized to speak on behalf of the local SCLC board, said board member James Greene III.

Greene said he was “not aware of any” plans for the board to meet in the wake of Thursday’s FBI seizures.

SCLC board member Margaret Peters said Friday she didn’t have time to discuss the FBI seizures and any action the board might take in response.

“I’m tied up right now,” Peters said.

There were no incidents during the execution of the three warrants, Brooks said. “The people that we encountered yesterday, all of them were very cooperative with our investigators,” he said.

Black, who also does public relations for Trammell, said the FBI did not allow him to speak with Trammell during Thursday’s raid at SCLC headquarters.

“I haven’t talked to him as of yet, so I don’t really know what he has to say about what is going on at this point,” Black said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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