South Carolina Lobbyist Tom Sponseller Missing Since February 18, 2012 … Last Seen in Columbia, SC, Money Missing As Well

South Carolina lobbyist Tom Sponseller, 61,  has been missing since Saturday, February 18, 2012. He was the president and CEO of the South Carolina Hospitality Association, who was last seen at work in downtown Columbia around noon Saturday. Authorities are also saying that there is as much as $900K missing from the South Carolina Hospitality Association. A  forensic audit has begun to look into the disappearance of the funds. The information will be shared with the Columbia Police Department as police investigate the disappearance of Tom Sponselle.

Tom Sponseller: pic credit, South Carolina Hospitality Association

Authorities say as much as $900,000 may be missing from an organization headed by a prominent South Carolina lobbyist Tom Sponseller, who disappeared last weekend, The State newspaper reports.

Sponseller, the president and CEO of the South Carolina Hospitality Association, was reported missing on Saturday, February 18 after relatives and friends were unable to contact him, reports CBS affiliate WLTX.

Sponseller reportedly was last seen at work in downtown Columbia around noon Saturday. According to WLTX, police found Sponseller’s car parked outside of his workplace.

Law enforcement officials told The State that the organization’s accounting director, Rachel Duncan, is a person of interest in the missing money investigation. Officials told the newspaper that more than $100,000 and possibly up to $900,000 was missing.

FACEBOOK: Help Find Tom Sponseller – Missing from Columbia, South Carolina

Statement regarding Tom Sponseller from the  South Carolina Hospitality Association:

The SC Hospitality Association members and staff are deeply concerned for Tom Sponseller’s whereabouts. He was last seen in the association office at noon on Saturday February 18, 2012. The Columbia Police Department has launched a full investigation and we are working with them.

Tom has served as President and CEO of the South Carolina Hospitality Association for nearly 22 years.  He is a prominent hospitality industry leader here in our state as well as nationally. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family and friends.

If anyone has any information regarding Sponseller’s whereabouts, please call S.C. Crimestoppers at 1-888-274-6372.