John Wilson Jenrette Jr. was an American lawyer, businessman, and Democratic Representative from South Carolina known for being nabbed in the Abscam Sting political corruption that also brought down six other members of Congress. Before Jenrette pursued a career in politics, he served in the U.S Army as an officer and served in the South Carolina National Guard for several years. He attended the University of South Carolina law school in 1962 and subsequently opened his own law firm. In 1964 he ... moreJohn Wilson Jenrette Jr. was an American lawyer, businessman, and Democratic Representative from South Carolina known for being nabbed in the Abscam Sting political corruption that also brought down six other members of Congress. Before Jenrette pursued a career in politics, he served in the U.S Army as an officer and served in the South Carolina National Guard for several years. He attended the University of South Carolina law school in 1962 and subsequently opened his own law firm. In 1964 he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives as a Democrat. He was credited for spearheading the renovation of present day Coastal Carolina University. He also persuaded the U.S. Air Force to allow commercial air traffic at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base leading to the creation of Myrtle Beach International Airport.
Jenrette's political career took a turn when he was convicted of taking a $50,000 bribe in the Abscam sting operation of the late 1970s, after being recorded by the FBI saying he had been given a cash bribe by an associate. He was sentenced to two years in prison but served 13 months.
