COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- South Carolina lobbyist Tom Sponseller was found dead of an apparent suicide Tuesday in a Columbia, S.C., parking garage, police said
A spokeswoman for the South Carolina Hospitality Association, which Sponseller headed, said his body was found just before 11 a.m.
Sponseller was reported missing on Feb. 18.
Federal authorities have been investigating the disappearance of thousands of dollars from the hospitality association, The (Columbia) State reported. Investigators say Rachel Duncan, an accountant with the association, was interviewed by the U.S. Secret Service.
While the Secret Service is involved in the search for the missing funds, it was not, however, involved in the investigation into the disappearance of Duncan's boss.
Prior to Sponseller's body being found, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Michael Williams said it was unknown whether Sponseller's disappearance was linked to the missing funds.
"We are still in the midst of unraveling this investigation as we speak," he said. "Again, the investigation initially started out as a financial crimes type of investigation."
