Today is the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attack on The World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93, which killed 2,977 innocent victims. As we remember those who died as a result of the attack, let’s also consider the unique and historic role played by the late Mount Pleasant litigation attorney, Ron Motley. Mr. Motley and his team were determined to identify the financiers of the terrorist plot and bring them to justice...in the US.

 

In a 2003 Post and Courier interview, Motley described the creation of what sounded like a private CIA. He said he had a team of more than 50 operatives on the ground on five continents, including some drawn from American and European intelligence agencies. Using satellite phones to keep in touch with Motley’s headquarters in Mount Pleasant, they mingled with arms dealers, took sworn statements from witnesses throughout the world, sought tips from well-connected journalists, and chased leads in India, Sudan, and even tiny Liechtenstein. They poured over evidence discovered by police in Spain, Germany, Bosnia, Luxembourg, and Italy.