Judge speaks out after her $1.5m mansion ‘exploded’ in suspected arson attack while she was walking along nearby beach
A judge has spoken out after her $1.5 million home exploded in a suspected arson attack in South Carolina.
Diane Goodstein, 69, sounded calm on Monday morning as she told the Daily Mail she ‘is alright’ following Saturday’s explosion at her Edisto Beach property, which led to her former state senator husband and two others being taken to hospital.
The judge was out walking on the beach when the suspected arson attack happened – just weeks after Judge Goodstein had issued a decisive ruling against the Trump administration.
Authorities are now working to determine what may have caused the four-bedroom, four bath home to go up in smoke.
Several reports said the circuit court judge had received death threats over the past few weeks following her decision to prevent the state from handing over sensitive voter registration documents to the federal government.
Trump’s Department of Justice had requested South Carolina officials turn over the personal data of more than 3.3 million voters, including names, addresses, birthdates, driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.
South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein issued a decisive ruling against the Trump administration last month
Weeks later, Goodstein’s $1.5 million beachfront property burned to the ground
The decision put Goodstein at odds with both the Trump administration and South Carolina GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, who filed an emergency petition to appeal the lawsuit and the temporary restraining order on September 5.
Footage from the scene showed powerful flames engulfing the beachfront home on Saturday.
‘Chief Justice John W. Kittredge is aware of an incident involving Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein. At this time, SLED is on the scene and will begin investigating as soon as the fire has been contained,’ the court said Saturday in the statement.
‘Local law enforcement partners have been alerted and asked to provide extra patrols and security. The Judicial Branch will remain in close communication with SLED.’
South Carolina Chief Justice John Kittredge said that the fire resulted from an ‘apparent explosion’ but officials are still investigating.
‘Judge Goodstein was walking on the beach when the fire started,’ he said.
‘Her husband, Arnie, was in the house with children and perhaps grandchildren. The family had to escape by jumping from a window or balcony. I’m told there were injuries from the fall, such as broken legs,’ he said.
Goodstein’s husband Arnold reportedly leaped from the burning building after helping other family members escape.
Goodstein’s four-bedroom, four bath $1,155,200 home went up in smoke at around 11.30am on Saturday
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is currently investigating the fire
‘Arnie’s injuries may have been the most serious, for he was airlifted to the hospital,’ Kittredge added.
Goodstein’s husband sustained multiple broken bones in his hips, legs and feet following the fall, the outlet reported.
Another of those hospitalized is said to be Goodstein’s son, Arnold Goodstein II.
His condition remains unclear.
