Deflecting a potentially debilitating public relations assault, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford is making it known that his lead counsel in multiple “stimulus” funding lawsuits is working the controversial cases for free.
Sanford is currently involved in three actions involving a disputed pot of more than $700 million in federal bureaucratic bailout funds. South Carolina lawmakers want to spend the money, Sanford wants to use it to pay down debt.
Two lawsuits have been filed against Sanford over the funds. Additionally, the governor filed a preemptive suit against the state seeking to establish his discretionary authority over the money – which represents less than a tenth of the federal bailout cash coming to South Carolina over the next two years.
The governor is represented in each case by John Foster, of the Atlanta-based international law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton.
Foster is personally working the case “pro bono,” although his firm will likely bill the state for incidental costs at a “substantially reduced rate,” Sanford’s office says.
Any fees associated with the action will be paid from the state’s Insurance Reserve fund, which Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer wasted no time pointing out was raided to the tune of $37 million by lawmakers this year to fund recurring expenses.
“The General Assembly took millions of dollars from the Insurance Reserve Fund as if it was their personal piggy bank,” Sawyer told FITS.
Sanford’s office said it chose Foster’s firm because of its involvement on behalf of the governor’s office and the state in the Jasper County port negotiations.
“We looked at a number of firms,” Sawyer said. “This firm was knowledgeable of all the issues involved and there was a previous relationship given their involvement with the Jasper port case.”
By Tim May 28, 2009 at 11:44 am
Can we expect the Ungov to disclose the value of this “free” representation as a campaign contribution or a gift?
By GGIH May 28, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Here’s hoping we get what we pay for.
By Gen. Longstreet May 28, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I have reviewed the blizzard of legal motions and pleadings and it should be duly noted that Mr. John Foster and his merry band are running circles around Mr. Dick Harpootlian, whose only qualification in this matter may only be his seeming ex parte access to certain state supreme court justices. Mr. Harpootlian, sir, if these legal matters stay in federal court, then strike the tent, for you shall be routed by flanking maneuvers worthy of Stonewall (may he rest in peace).
By Ben May 28, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Seriously General? Your alterego was entertaining at first, possibly creative. And the prose was tolerable, but now you using civil war flanking analogies to describe motion filing? Its settled, you’re not a general at all, the real Longstreet would have never said anything that lame. You’re a clever dork at best.
By Liberaltarian May 28, 2009 at 5:43 pm
OK “Foster is personally working the case ‘pro bono,’” what about the other 4 lawyers churning the case? The two from Atlanta and two from North Carolina that have appeared in the case, are they working for free as well? It comes off as a slight of hand that this one guy is working for free, but the 4 guys doing the actual work are going to bill the taxpayers their normal rates.
And “Sanford’s office said it chose Foster’s firm because of its involvement on behalf of the governor’s office and the state in the Jasper County port negotiations.” I ask, why is the govenor using out of state law firms for state business?
By Gen. Longstreet May 28, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Mr. Ben,
And your prose, sir, is full of grammatical errors and misspellings. My compliments.
L.
By liz May 29, 2009 at 7:24 am
that’s nice.
Who does the Gov want to pay?
By GoCocks69 May 29, 2009 at 9:18 am
What Will neglects to mention is that it is only “pro bono” to a certain point – after that, the taxpayers of SC pay for it via the Insurance Reserve Fund. It’s interesting that Sanford doesn’t want “government interference” until it is convenient for him to bring in the federal courts.