COLUMBIA, SC (WLTX) -- News19 has new information that may tie into the search for Tom Sponseller, the Columbia businessman and lobbyist who's been missing for six days.
Sponseller was last seen on February 18, 2012 while working at his office on Lady Street.
Since then, there's been no sign of the 61-year-old who's the head of the South Carolina Hospitality Association.
A source tells News19 there is an ongoing federal investigation into the group, although it's not clear why.
Meanwhile, News19 is learning more about some of the workings of the group, and its staff. In particular, a search of public records reveals information about the financial history of Rachel Duncan. She was listed as the the director of accounting and membership but we are told she is no longer with the association.
In 2010, Duncan sued three people and was awarded a judgement for just over $2700, although the money was never collected. Court records show Duncan owed more than $5,900 in debt on a credit card, and another $3,992 on a Barclays Bank account. Both of those judgements were awarded last year. Duncan was also sued in a forclosure action on a property in Lexington County in December of 2011.
We tried to talk with Duncan but no one answered at her Lexington home. Neighbors tell us she was home at the time we were in the area.
This all comes as News19 learned Sponseller renewed his registration as a lobbyist in South Carolina for 2012.
Friday, the public relations firm representing the Hospitality Association announced they are doing an external financial audit of the organization, hiring a Columbia accounting firm to look at their books.
In the meantime, if you know anything about the disappearance of Sponseller, call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.