This just in from Corey over at the Free Times:
by Corey Hutchins, February 14th 04:36pmSouth Carolina’s Republican attorney general, Alan Wilson, suggested a SLED agent be assigned to investigate the state’s most powerful politician, GOP House Speaker Bobby Harrell.
“We met today with Ashley Landess, who delivered information to this office alleging possible criminal violations by Speaker Bobby Harrell,” Chief Deputy Attorney General John McIntosh said in a statement. “Consistent with our long-standing policy, we are requesting that SLED assign an agent to conduct this inquiry.”
Landess is the president of the limited government South Carolina Policy Council. SLED is the State Law Enforcement Division.
The information Landess delivered asks these questions: Did Harrell use his public office for personal financial gain and break any laws in the process? Did he violate the law by using campaign funds for personal purposes, and did he maintain records in accordance to the law and itemize reimbursements properly?…
This was called to my attention by a release from House Ethics Committee Chairman Kenny Bingham:
STATEMENT ON STATUS OF ASHLEY LANDESS COMPLAINT
In response to calls about whether Ms. Ashley Landess had discussed her complaint about the Speaker of the House with the Chairman of the House Ethics Committee, Rep. Kenny Bingham issued the following statement:
“Earlier this week, Ms. Ashley Landess and Senator Tom Davis, her legal council, came to see me to discuss the process the House Ethics Committee follows when a complaint is registered with our Committee. I gave them an overview of our process and procedures.
“Ms. Landess did not file a complaint with our Committee, nor did she discuss the specific nature of her complaint with me. She told me she had concerns about our process and the supervisory role the Speaker of the House might have over committee staff. Because of those concerns, she said she would rather take her complaint directly to the attorney general. I told her that was certainly her right under the law.
“This afternoon, Attorney General Alan Wilson called and informed me that his office has decided to refer the matter to SLED and ask them to conduct a preliminary review.
“I have every confidence the attorney general will conduct a fair and complete investigation. Because this matter is now under review by SLED and the Attorney General’s Office, it would be inappropriate for me to make any additional comments.”
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This broke about an hour ago. That’s all I know so far…
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And here’s a link to Adam Beam’s story over at thestate.com, which has related documents down at the bottom…
This will likely go as well as the video poker machine investigation in Lexington County. Lots of noise at first then it dies out and just gets swept under the rug… or easier said, “The SC way”.
I believe that the fact that Ashley Lanless is represented by Sen. Tom Davis as council (sic) is an important element to this story. Does her father still work for the Office of the Attorney General?
Throw ’em in jail and throw away the key. Harrell is one of the most corrupt politicians in this state with his little business shakedown fund (Oh I mean leadership PAC). Not to mention the Post and Courier story about him using his position to protect his side businesses.
More allegations that SC politicians are corrupt and violating campaign finance laws?
I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
So what do YOU think of this news, Brad? Do you think Harrell is a squeaky clean, ethical representative of the people of South Carolina?
WIS has posted today that they are still waiting on FOIA documents they filed last month – but haven’t received from the speaker’s office. Their headline is he’s “still dodging”
What is the speaker afraid of?
Posted: Feb 18, 2013 3:04 PM EST Updated: Feb 18, 2013 4:05 PM EST
By Jody Barr – email
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) –
Despite state law that says such records are to be kept for four years and two public records requests, one of which delivered directly to the Speaker himself, Bobby Harrell refuses to allow WIS to see his spending records for the previous four years.