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SC Black Friday shoppers hunt deals, prioritize safety [Video]

Shoppers are out for Black Friday bargains, while experts warn to plan ahead, secure finances, and stay alert for fraud during the holiday rush.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Black Friday deals are drawing shoppers out in full force, hoping to get the best bargains on holiday gifts.But with all the discounts, many also monitor their spending and safety.

Maddie Srulevich was out shopping with friends and said this was the perfect time to get Christmas presents.

“There’s so much stuff to get for Christmas that it’s really nice if you think ahead and get all the gifts and get all the things early,” said Srulevich. “Otherwise, you’re just going to spend so much money.”

While many shoppers rely on in-person deals, some still turn to online shopping for the convenience.

“If you’re on those websites, make sure you’re using a secure website,” said Cooke. “That’s those websites with ‘https’ in the …

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Firefighter, retired judge among men charged in suspected prostitution ring [Video]

Prosecutors charged five additional men in connection to a suspected prostitution ring operating out of an apartment on Milwaukee's near west side. The new misdemeanor charges come just days after public defender Travis Schwantes faced serious charges in the same investigation. Prosecutors accused Schwantes of falsifying documents in order to defend one of the sex workers investigators say he solicited. Schwantes resigned from the Office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender in September. George Easton, 76, of Pleasant Prairie; William Green, 59, of West Allis; David Ornstein, 50, of Milwaukee; Christopher Riegg, 55, of Greenfield; and Leroy Stewart, 53, of Racine, each face a misdemeanor pandering-solicitation charge.Investigators said the men paid sex workers operating out of an apartment building near 29th and Kilbourn. According to the court documents, Easton is a retired Pleasant Prairie municipal judge. The complaint said he admitted to police he paid a woman "$200.00 per hour to engage in acts of prostitution." Investigators said Ornstein is a Milwaukee firefighter. According to court documents, he had multiple paid sexual encounters, including one "just hours prior to his arrest" in March. Milwaukee fire Chief Aaron Lipski said the department launched an open internal investigation. "We take these matters extremely seriously," Lipski said. According to the complaint, Stewart runs Sunset Options Funerals and Cremation in Oak Creek. A sex worker told investigators he paid for sex encounters at the near west side apartment and at the funeral home. Stewart told police he "didn't recall having sex with her there."Online records show Riegg works in investment banking. Court documents said he paid for sex acts "once a week during 2021 through 2023."Investigators said a sex worker provided Green's first and last name and occupation as a lawyer. He told police he is affiliated with the Salvation Army and that he would see the sex worker for companionship and "to take a break from his wife."WISN 12 News made attempts to get ahold of each of the men, none of which had a comment Monday night. The court documents said a sex worker provided information to police. That woman has since been charged and convicted for keeping a place of prostitution. At her sentencing, her attorney said she was a victim of sex trafficking. The five men charged Monday each face a misdemeanor charge. If convicted, they could each face a maximum fine of $10,000 and prison time up to nine months. They're due to face a judge next month.