S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley lied about her income on the job application that she filled out for a cushy $110,000-a-year hospital fund-raising position, an investigation by reporter John O’Connor of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper strongly suggests.
On Wednesday, The State published the Lexington Medical Center job application that Haley allegedly filled out and submitted to the hospital in August of 2008. On that application, Haley listed her 2007 income at Exotica International (the clothing store run by her parents) at $125,000 – and requested that she be paid this same amount by the hospital.
The only problem with Haley’s income declaration? According to federal tax returns – which the Republican candidate belatedly released during the 2010 gubernatorial race – she only made $22,000 from Exotica in 2007.
(To view the job application Haley is alleged to have submitted, click here).
Haley’s office is claiming that she did not fill out this amount on the job application, although that’s going to be a tough sell.
In a follow-up story in The State, a hospital spokeswoman says that no one at Lexington Medical Center modified the application and that anyone fraudulently filling the form out online “would have had to know (Haley’s) social security number, address, job history, past supervisors, job duties, education and other details.”
The application also included Haley’s personal phone number and private email address.
In requesting the Lexington Medical Center documents, The State acknowledged that it was acting on reports first published here on FITS regarding the independent investigation of former S.C. Board of Economic Advisors chairman John Rainey.
Rainey has also requested documents related to Haley’s other secretive pre-gubernatorial employment – an undisclosed consulting gig with an engineering company that had (and has) extensive business before the state.
Haley’s tenure with Lexington Medical Center came under scrutiny last year when she was caught flat-out lying about her reasons for leaving the job.
In fact, when Haley “resigned” her position with the hospital last spring, we questioned her campaign manager (now chief of staff) Tim Pearson about the circumstances surrounding her departure. Specifically, we asked Pearson about rumors that we were hearing to the effect that Haley had been forced out – and that ethical questions were being raised about her tenure with the hospital. Pearson assured us that the rumors were completely false, telling us that Haley choose to leave the job so that she could focus her energy on her gubernatorial campaign. He also praised Haley’s work at the foundation.
Still, we noted at the time that Haley’s excuse struck us as “a rather odd explanation considering that Haley has (already) been splitting her time … between campaigning and serving in the state legislature.”
Months later, of course, the truth came out.
According to internal hospital emails published last October by the Associated Press, Haley’s departure from this $110,000 a year job was far from amicable. In fact, the break-up was downright hostile – with Haley bringing in an attorney to negotiate a settlement after she was on the verge of being put on leave for missing work.
“Despite my constant efforts to have Nikki come in over the past three days, she has failed to come in to meet with me,” Lexington Medical’s foundation director wrote to the CEO of the hospital in March of 2010, adding that Haley knew the meeting was to be about her job performance (or lack thereof). “To me, this exemplifies that (sic) fact that a leave of absence is warranted.”
According to the foundation director, Haley failed to show up at work for two consecutive weeks – prompting his request that she be placed on annual leave.
Haley wasn’t hearing it.
“I do not choose to take annual leave, nor do I consent to ‘being placed on annual leave,’” Haley fired back at the hospital in an email.
Eventually, Haley referred the matter to an attorney and ended up with a $35,000 severance package and an agreement from the hospital not to do or say anything to embarrass her.
When Haley was hired, both she and the hospital claimed that she competed “fair and square” for the position. That also turned out to be false.
As The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper reported last September, Lexington Medical created the $110,000 a year job for Haley at the direct request of the hospital’s CEO. In fact, Haley’s hiring wasn’t even approved by its board of directors. Also, prior to accepting the job Haley had helped the hospital win legislative approval for a new heart center, prompting many to view the job offer as political payback.
As controversial as Haley’s hiring and “firing” may have been, sources tell FITS that the real scandal involving her tenure with Lexington Medical Center could be the work that she did for the hospital.
As we noted in a story published last October, sources tell FITS that the U.S. Justice Department is looking into “multiple donations” solicited by Haley during her tenure as the foundation’s fundraiser. In fact, we’re told that these donations – including those solicited from companies with business before legislative committees on which Haley served – are the real focus of Rainey’s probe.
Sources close to Haley have previously dismissed these rumors as figments of Rainey’s imagination.
“The only investigation (U.S. Attorney Bill) Nettles will ever launch against Nikki Haley exists in the warped mind of (John) Rainey,” a pro-Haley source told us last October.
Maybe so … but we’ve spoken with at least two people who claim that they were contacted by federal authorities regarding donations that Haley solicited for the foundation. We also spoke with an FBI source last fall who told us not to rule out the possibility of an investigation.
***
By Mike Finley March 16, 2011 at 10:35 am
Isn’t Lexington where the shot heard round the world was?
By Crooner March 16, 2011 at 10:36 am
Now that’s an impressive resume. One other job besides working for Mom and Dad.
To me, this whole Lexington Medical Center fundraising job was enough to raise the huge red flag. She’s all about using her political career for personal gain, and we had proof going in.
Thanks a lot, idiot Republicans.
I give her a year. But then, Ken Ard’s no prince, either.
By Frappy March 16, 2011 at 10:38 am
Halye is in big trouble this time.
By cash March 16, 2011 at 10:50 am
Don’t even give her a year, cause it’s goin down.
By tulane March 16, 2011 at 10:57 am
Nah,
She’ll be here in a year, despite FITS valiant efforts to the contrary we need only paraphrase Charles Durning in the classic “Best Little Whorehouse in Tx.”
“Ooh I love to sidestep,
I’ve come and gone..
ooh I love to sweep the wide step,
cut a little swathe and lead the people on.”
By Matt March 16, 2011 at 11:09 am
A tax cheat and a liar- nice. Nothing will happen to her though.
By Andy March 16, 2011 at 11:09 am
So Haley lies. This is news?
By Slappy March 16, 2011 at 11:13 am
This is total, utter bullshit. But she’ll stay because, like Sanford, the Legislature is scared of her.
By FunkyChicken March 16, 2011 at 11:18 am
“Columbia has a whorehouse in it, oh Lordy save our souls!”
By cash March 16, 2011 at 11:19 am
I’ll bet John Rainey is not scared of her. There’s blood in the water.
By haley is my hero March 16, 2011 at 11:32 am
Haley is going to have a really difficult time explaining who filled out this application and lied. She is a colossal mistake. I’m so proud that I did not vote for her.
By james March 16, 2011 at 11:35 am
Lets try another twist. The CEO of the hospital, buying political influence, told her to put down that salary number to cover the pre agreed pay for influence. If an audit of the foundation was done, her pay seemed reasonable based on prior work history.
By Huhhh??? March 16, 2011 at 11:40 am
Did Cofield, Darla’s replacement, represent Nikki in the LMC severence deal?
By so much for family values (again) March 16, 2011 at 11:46 am
Funky Chicken,
Up until World War II, the whorehouse were within one to two blocks of the State House – easy access, ya know.
By A face in the crowd March 16, 2011 at 11:47 am
Haley is governor of a state in which an endorsement from Sarah Palin actually propels one to the top of the election slate. Can any of this really be a surprise?
There is the satisfaction of watching the people who voted for her get what they deserve, day after day. Like Palin, she is the gift that keeps on giving.
By cash March 16, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Investigate Exotica and Ajit Randhawa (Haley’s dad). Those would be your smoking guns!
By cash March 16, 2011 at 12:10 pm
http://tsmmedia.net/index.php?option_content&view=article&id=527:evolution-of-faith-and...
Pingback: FITS: Nikki Haley: The Lies Are Mounting
By Wilber Force March 16, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Ask Haley to sign an affidavit that she DIDN’T COMPLETE this part if the application!
Haley also lied on her annual State Ethics Form saying she was employed by the Lexington Medical FOUNDATION when she was empolyed by Lexington Hospital (legally a very different entity).
Why isn’t Lexington Medical CEO Michael Biediger being asked questions like:
- why did he unilaterally hire her at 63% above comparable job rates?
-did she bring to the Foundation monies from any clients/lobbyists that had business before her in the General Assembly?
-let’s see a list of the Foundation’s donors for the time Haley was there?
- while she was suppose to be working for the Foundation, what was she doing to help further Lexington getting the Heart center?
-is it ironic that Haley is let go/leaves the Hospital in April 2010 within days of:
“LMC and Palmetto Health reach an agreement where LMC’s open heart program can proceed. Palmetto agrees not to contest LMC’s application”(see the timeline at end of below link on Lexington’s “10 year” effort to get a heart center)?
http://thehealthcaremarketer.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/lexington-gets-a-heart-program-a-goal-acheived-years-in-the-making/
By wow just wow March 16, 2011 at 12:43 pm
I’d have told them the same thing.
By Staffer March 16, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Mike Finley,
No, that shot was heard somewhere in New Hampshire according to Michelle Bachmann.
By SCSPAN March 16, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I think we can see why she failed the CPA exam.
By William Hamilton March 16, 2011 at 2:01 pm
The Governor isn’t trying to accomplish anything. She just wants to wreck as much as she can reach. The did major damage to USC last week and probably crippled efforts to recruit jobs and investment. Darla Moor’s removal sends a clear message that brains and money aren’t welcome here. I thought everyone liked money.
If she can turn it all into a train wreck, the opposition will give up and go home. Then she can cut taxes and defund it all.
By leo March 16, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Obama lies on a regular basis, too.
Big deal.
Does this mean Haley is now qualified for US President?
By Mike at the Beach March 16, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Laugh it up y’all- ol’ Gresham ain’t looking that bad now, huh?
By costcutter March 16, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Someones is not truthful. Tim Pearson, call SLED and arrange for “her excellency” to be placed on the box. You can accompany her and then call a press conference including WACH Fox 57 to publish the results. Also, take Elenor with you so she can insure no white middle age males are doing the test.Why would LMC fabricate an application? Her attorney has a copy of the application when he negotiated the settlement. Wouldn’t he know if this is a different application from the one she submitted. NH should show a copy of the application she submitted after all she is an accountant and they keep good records.
By cash March 16, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Wasn’t the attorney Cofield…the one who Haley has chosen to replace Darla Moore? Hush money.
By Trevor Bauknight March 16, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Echoing another poster, it is interesting seeing all the people that voted for Nikki Haley having to grit their teeth now that it’s obvious that the assault on the working class going on at the state level across the nation is a coordinated effort by big money interests. With each passing day, this looks like a deliberate effort to destroy not just the Federal government of this country, but also to dismantle state government in a variety of testbeds, from liberal Madison to reactionary Columbia.
My parents voted for her, only to have to turn around a week after the inauguration and sign a petition against her efforts to defund civil society. It was mildly amusing, except for the gut feeling that we’ve only started down this absurd path to self-destruction.
But, hey, thanks for waiting to cash in with a book.
By so much for family values (again) March 16, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Haley is saying she didn’t fill out the application – why the heck not?
Is she not capable of filling out a job application? If she didn’t fill it out, who did? Does she toss hubby under the bus? Mom and Dad? Does she not remember who filled it out just like she didn’t remember if she flew first class on the taxpayer-funded trip to China with Sanford? In that case, she doesn’t remember to whom she gave her social security number for the form?
Lies, lies, lies.
By Mike March 16, 2011 at 5:20 pm
I have an FBI source that says Will Fits is on the “lamb” from Pakistan for charges that he was… well, ON THE LAMB ! ! !
See, anyone can write anything the want… true or not.
By Ira S. March 16, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Of course she filled it out.
She may well have been telling the truth on the $125k.
Her late filed tax returns ($22k in family income?) never made sense and were inconsistent with life style, home value, car she drove, clothes, bling, etc.
The “barter business” is a well known cover for earning unreported income.
The family business has been the source of rumors of shady ops in Lexington for years.
The sister is some kind of fortune teller.
“Gypsies, tramps and thieves…”
She even looks a little bit like Cher.
By Pinocchio's Nose March 16, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Haley fibs:
1. “I have never done this before.”
2. “I barely know him.”
3. “We were working late.”
4. “I have never been unfaithful to my husband.”
5. “I will resign if proof of adultery surfaces.”
6. “I don’t remember if I flew in first class to China.”
7. “I didn’t pay for Palin’s endorsement.”
8. “I left Lexington County Hospital job on good terms.”
9. “I don’t remember what I did for Wilbur Smith.”
10.”I turned over all my emails.”
11.”I am an accountant.”
12.”I don’t read fiction.”
No wait, that last one may be true. Question is, does she speak fiction?
Shouldn’t Dems be asking for an investigation?
I’m sure the AG bar flunker Allen Wilson will jump right on it.
By Gapetto March 16, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Pinocchio’s nose,
I’d list all the lies Obama has told but, quite frankly, I don’t have the time. Obama’s serial deceptions make Haley a young piker, by comparison.
By bqueen March 16, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Gapetto: Unfortunately Haley is our governor.
By follydude March 16, 2011 at 9:01 pm
who is the ghostwriter for her upcoming ‘memoir’/fairytale?
By baker March 16, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Gapetto: What’s your point?
By eggaday March 16, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Trevor, get a copy of ” The Fall of America” published in 1973. Interesting reading. Haley is playing her part.
By penelope March 16, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Oops. South Carolina Lt Gov Ken Ard to face 92 separate ethics charges stemming from disclosure and spending violations:
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14266034
By Gen. Moultrie March 16, 2011 at 11:43 pm
Indeed. Caldwell James and his wife Madge were the Pimp and Madam of that era in Columbia. The voters of South Carolina have moved the whorehouse to the Governors mansion. Of course, being a whore, tax cheat, and liar is still better than the fraud perpetrated on us for the past 2 terms.
By Jim Brown March 17, 2011 at 12:01 am
This is just smoke, now. But where there is smoke, there is fire. Both she and the LtGov have some serious PR problems with their electorate. One more misstep on either side, and these two will be in trouble.
By cash March 17, 2011 at 2:48 am
Sorry, the truth hurts. Pathological liar, compulsive liar…these are forms of mental illness and treatable with therapy. As with most obsessive-compulsive disorders, there is help to be found. Sometimes successful, sometimes not. If someone cares about her, they will get her help, and soon.
By Trevor Bauknight March 17, 2011 at 10:21 am
Thanks Eggaday! Will do.
By haley is my hero March 17, 2011 at 12:57 pm
She is a fraud
Haley fibs: 1. “I have never done this before.”2. “I barely know him.”3. “We were working late.”4. “I have never been unfaithful to my husband.”5. “I will resign if proof of adultery surfaces.”6. “I don’t remember if I flew in first class to China.”7. “I didn’t pay for Palin’s endorsement.”8. “I left Lexington County Hospital job on good terms.”9. “I don’t remember what I did for Wilbur Smith.”10.”I turned over all my emails.”11.”I am an accountant.”12.”I don’t read fiction.”
By Grayson March 17, 2011 at 10:36 pm
If the governor wants to clear this up, it is very simple. The IP address of the computer used to fill out this form is almost certainly available. All we need to do is see whether this traces to the governor’s computer or not.
So, all the governor needs to allow release of this information, and any reporter could find out by tomorrow who filled out this application.
There is probably not enough impetus to get these records today, but if the governor ever runs for a higher office — these IP address records will be checked. She is on record.
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