It’s S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley‘s $125,000 question …
Does Lexington Medical Center – the hospital that provided the former state lawmaker with a six-figure fund-raising job in 2008 – have in its possession the internet protocol (IP) address associated with Haley’s controversial job application?
FITS posed that question to a hospital spokesperson on Monday – but we have yet to receive a response. Apparently several other media outlets have posed the same question, too – and are also patiently awaiting a response from the hospital.
How Lexington Medical Center answers these interrogatives will be incredibly important in determining the governor’s political future. In fact, depending on how the dominoes fall, the hospital’s response could very well determine whether Haley gets to finish her first term as governor …
To recap … on February 7, former S.C. Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) chairman John Rainey launched an independent investigation into Haley’s stormy tenure with the hospital, a 20-month stint which came under intense scrutiny last year when she was caught flat-out lying about her reasons for leaving the $110,000-a-year job.
Haley originally claimed that she left Lexington Medical to focus all of her energies on campaigning for governor – with her campaign insisting that the split was amicable. Emails released months later, however, revealed that Haley was forced out of the job after she failed to show up for two consecutive weeks and dodged a meeting with her supervisor.
In fact Haley was about to be placed on annual leave when she referred the matter to an attorney – at which point she was able to walk away with a $35,000 severance package and an agreement from the hospital not to do or say anything that would embarrass her.
In addition to lying about her departure from the job, Haley also lied about how she got it.
When Haley was hired in 2008, both she and the hospital claimed that she competed “fair and square” for the position. As The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper reported last September, however, Lexington Medical Center created Haley’s position at the direct request of the hospital’s CEO and paid her a vastly-inflated salary. Not only that, 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 position as political payback.
Anyway Rainey’s investigation – reported exclusively by FITS – included a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the hospital seeking a boatload of documents related to Haley.
Rainey’s inquiry prompted The State to submit its own FOIA request for many of the same documents – a search which turned up the online job application that Haley allegedly filled out and submitted to the hospital in August of 2008. On that application, Haley (or her “phantom“) 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 alleged income declaration? According to federal tax returns – which the Republican candidate belatedly released during the 2010 gubernatorial race – she only reported earning $22,000 from Exotica in 2007.
Haley has repeatedly denied that she filled out the application or provided the $125,000 figure – which she insists is inaccurate. However, the hospital has said it did not alter the submission. A hospital spokesperson also pointed out to The State that anyone fraudulently filling out the application “would have had to know (Haley’s) social security number, address, job history, past supervisors, job duties, education and other details.”
Not only that, they would also have had to know a secret security question (and answer) as well as the user name and password that was created for the application process.
Obviously, the notion that someone other than Haley could have filled out this application strains credulity – although the production of the IP address by the hospital would go one step further in proving that conclusively.
How so?
Well, an IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to computers and other devices that exchange information across networks. When you send an email, make an online purchase or submit information on a web page, you are transmitting your computer network’s unique “label.”
Assuming the hospital has a record of the IP address associated with Haley’s application submission – this numeric label could easily be matched to one of Haley’s computers (or to the computer of the mysterious “phantom”).
S.C. Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler has already called on the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to launch an identity theft investigation to determine who, if anyone, set Haley up.
“Identity theft is a serious crime and shouldn’t be ignored just because Governor Haley doesn’t seem to want to discuss it,” Fowler said. “Someone has committed a crime and should be punished.”
Of course it’s the next chapter(s) of this budding scandal that could pose far graver dangers for Haley …
Assuming Lexington Medical Center can document that Haley submitted the original version of the job application with the $125,000 annual income figure for 2007 (obviously two very big “ifs”) – then we have to at least begin considering a potentially explosive possibility:
What if Haley accurately reported her 2007 income to the hospital – and lied to the IRS when she declared only $22,000 worth of income that year?
Think about it …
When 2007 began, Haley and her husband were coming off of their worst financial year ever – reporting only $40,000 worth of combined income. Yet the couple lived in $370,000 house while Haley cruised around town in a luxury Cadillac SUV wearing stylish outfits and expensive jewelry. She also showered her friends with pricey gifts.
Does that math add up?
Of course not …
There has been a plenty of speculation in Palmetto political circles about Haley’s “family business.” In fact, we’ve addressed some of that speculation. We’ve also addressed the speculation surrounding the middle chapter of Haley’s Lexington Medical Center tenure – specifically the allegation that she solicited donations from companies with business before the legislative committees on which she served.
So … does this mean there are even bigger scandals lurking around the corner for Haley?
We may know soon enough … but it all starts with the answer we get to Haley’s $125,000 question.
UPDATE: Haley lucks out. The hospital doesn’t have the IP address.
***
By hello March 22, 2011 at 12:48 am
Now SLED can get ya the physical address to where an IP address is located – very quickly. And it should be a priority, as someone had gained personal information about someone (The Governor) that SLED is in charge of protecting.
By Hello March 22, 2011 at 1:06 am
Here is an idea – If LLoyd feels he can’t or should not investigate this Alleged Crime that has taken place, Sheriff James(Jimmy) Metts of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office should take it upon himself to investigate, as the “alleged crime” had to have taken place in his county. The IP Address holds the truth.
By Gary March 22, 2011 at 1:10 am
It is a totally non issue. Almost every one can understand why it is being presented by you as some make or break for Governor Haley.
I am not saying that Haley did it, but padding you resume is routinely done by many applicants and it is NOT illegal. It is the responsibly of the employer to check out the facts.
Secondly, as the records indicate, she WAS ALREADY OFFERED THE JOB & THE SALARY of $110,000 before she even filled out the application. So where is the point of padding her resume and what is the need for it?? Who knows, but it is very possible that hospital may have filled out that page on which her signatures are not there. Also it is possible that Hospital may have filed out her salary of 125,00 to justify before their own board so that they could pay 110,000 to her. It is again a non issue and what matters to SC public is how she does her job as Governor.
Rainey’s so called investigation is silly and total waste of time and money. Besides it is a non- profit hospital in her community for which the fund raising was done and not some individual or politician.
By cash March 22, 2011 at 1:32 am
Gary, the turbanators are going to get you. Let the truth prevail, for God’s or Guru’s sake.
By Andy March 22, 2011 at 6:20 am
I am still trying to figure out how the fact that a politician lies is news. Over in Horry County there is a guy who fucks a horse named “Sugar”. Now that’s news. And if you own horses, it’s actually news you can use. C’mon sic, how about something current?
By Prince Poppycock March 22, 2011 at 6:37 am
Oooooooooo, Gary……I thought you were never coming back to this “naughty” site??? Always the same old with you, eh??? Well, defending your princess is getting harder every day, isn’t it? Can’t stay away from Sic, no matter how much you want to. It is an addiction, isn’t it?
By Cancerman March 22, 2011 at 7:26 am
Time to call the Feds!!
By Robert Hagwood March 22, 2011 at 8:00 am
I’d like to have someone with some more experience in this respond – but in South Carolina there is a law against submitting a false claim for payment to a publically funded hospital. This is a criminal offense. I would think that if you made a material misrepresentation on an application and received additional compensation as a result that at least a credible argument could be made that this was a crime.
By Soft Sigh from Hell March 22, 2011 at 8:15 am
I believe the IP address will just get you the “internet provider,” which say for me would just tell you “Bellsouth” and some server number that would tell you some large part of the system. You would have to serve ATT with a warrant to have them track down from a specific message what specific address, and that may or may not have the specific computer if at an organization or agency (or legislature). The latter then would have to track it.
If I’m wrong here I’m sure someone will let us know.
By Johnson March 22, 2011 at 8:15 am
Gary – Are you SURE it is not a crime?? It certainly questions ethics, integrity, honestly, transparency……all obvious character flaws of South Carolina’s Governor. You are not doing her any favors with your comment. This is more than a politician lying for political gain.
By Jackson March 22, 2011 at 8:19 am
I believe Robert has a valid point. Compensation based on deliberate misrepresentation…..sounds like fraud.
By Zippy March 22, 2011 at 8:51 am
Oh Boy – The budget and control meeting is kicking off shortly.
http://scetv.org/television/streaming/bcb.cfm
By MajorC March 22, 2011 at 9:05 am
Soft Sigh from Hell, the IP address will read something like: ISP: 106.69.5.XXX
On the trace you will get several groups of numbers with just the last digits being different. Your computer will have a number, your wireless router will have a number, and even your blu-ray dvd will have an assigned number. A search will take you right to the very item, unless you are a computer guru/geek and you have built your system to filter through an offsite camouflaged ISP site. (highly unlikely here) It can be done at the snap of a finger. Question is, who will pull the trigger?
Those on the grassy knoll know who filled out this application.
By Soft Sigh from Hell March 22, 2011 at 9:22 am
Thanks
I know all the information is there, but someone “outside” cannot translate it all can they? If I get an email message, I cannot readily track it back to an exact computer without a warrant can I?
It just doesn’t seem likely.
By David in Columbia March 22, 2011 at 9:39 am
She’s a crook. She and her entire family have been cheating the IRS for some time. She even used her influence in the legislature to prevent the SC Department of Revenue from investigating her family’s shady business. Why is she so untouchable???? Anyone else, and they’d already be indicted. I’m disgusted.
By cash March 22, 2011 at 9:47 am
Where in the heck is her husband?
By Zippy March 22, 2011 at 9:51 am
Her husband is choking his chicken in the barn. Nikki has been too busy for him.
By Lookie March 22, 2011 at 9:52 am
Sic – Nikki is in the Post & Huff. Dig on in there and get you some.
By MajorC March 22, 2011 at 10:23 am
Soft Sigh, you are safe. Most emails can’t be traced back to the sender unless the recipient is running sophisticated software. However, if you send them a digital picture (even a picture on facebook) there is new software available that will decode the hidden GPS engrained in the picture. I can in a matter of seconds tell the actual date and location where a picture was taken. (of course you can turn this feature off in your camera, but the majority of people do not know how)
You can run, but you can not hide. Some people will follow you to hell and back, sighing all the way. ;-)
By stimulus March 22, 2011 at 10:23 am
She is a stupid ugly bitch!
By cash March 22, 2011 at 10:23 am
I thought her husband was to take an active role in this administration. It’s like he has disappeared.
By smart kid Grant March 22, 2011 at 10:33 am
MajorC, soft sigh, using the ip address as a means of discovering who the person is doesn’t work as well as it would seem. A vast majority of ip addresses do not stay constant over time(just about every one given out in the past decade, unless you actually purchase a specific ip address). Every time you reboot your router, you will get a new ip address because they are dynamically assigned. Using ip addresses to track identities hasn’t been a viable strategy since before the internet boom.
By Jackal March 22, 2011 at 10:47 am
Not so smart kid grant, I’ve rebooted my router a couple times this week, same ip address…
they are traceable with a court order.
By Jeff March 22, 2011 at 10:48 am
Hey Cash….come on, you got to know by now that-that was her plan all along…..Haley-I’ll use my “influence” to get you a full time job in the guard if you will stay with me until after the election, then you can disappear!
By Wally March 22, 2011 at 10:49 am
Hey smart kid. If you have a minute. What about stuff Nikki had on any of her computers which she tried to delete. Can computer forensics really dig in there and stick a dick to her????
By Jeff March 22, 2011 at 10:51 am
Hey smart kid Grant…then how the hell do they catch all those internet predators?…I’m willing to betcha that the predators aren’t picking up the phone to call the FEDS or the local police on themselves!
By Wilber Force March 22, 2011 at 11:01 am
Look,
Just look at Haley’s amswer to question #3 under WORK HISTORY(see Lexington Application p.3 of 5)and tell me if anybody in the world(other than Michael) would know the answer to the following Application question:
Question:”List employees beginning with the most recent”.
Haley’s third listing (after the Exotica $125,000 and SC House)
states that a guy named Douglas Handy was her supervisor from 1994-1996 at the Charlotte based company of FCR, Inc.(no company address given).
The Application completor (whether Governor or Phantom!) states Haley’s responsibilities as “Responsible for all the accounting functions and reporting of the corporation and 6 subsidiaries”
Now what “Phantom” would know Douglas Handy’s name or that this company FCR,Inc. had 6 subsidiaries?????
Also, if Haley didn’t submit the Application Lexington said is on file as hers, THEN WHERE IS THE APPLICATION HALEY SENT TO LEXINGTON?
Between August 5th and 11th Haley SIGNED 4 other Lexington employment documents, with the Application proper stating on p.5 of 5.”My typed name below shall have the same force and effect as my written signature” followed by her typed name.
And WHO interviewed her for the job at Lexington??? Surely Biediger discussed with her salery and past saleries IF IT IS A STANDARD QUESTION ON THE APPLICATION! And how well does she know the CEO?
By Gary March 22, 2011 at 11:08 am
>>>By Jackson March 22, 2011 at 8:19 am
I believe Robert has a valid point. Compensation based on deliberate misrepresentation…..sounds like fraud.<<
HOW is it a misrepresentation when you fill up the application AFTER you have already been offered a job as well as the salary of $110,00 to be paid?? THIS IS ON RECORD THAT SHE WAS OFFERED THIS JOB BEFORE SHE FILLED UP THE APPLICATION. Think about it before you keep following like a herd her political and personal enemies who rake up non issues almost every day.
By still pimpin' for haley? March 22, 2011 at 11:11 am
two questions: when you asked the LMC PR flack about the ip, did you have a follow up about if haley’s sham job was a blatant political payoff?-which it obviously was- And secondly, assuming you knew haley personally and professionally prior to her run as governor (which assumes you knew she was a liar, a con artist/shake down artist, hypocrite and totally transparent fraud all along- same as sanford) why did you pimp all her talking points and candidacy and then endorse her?
By cash March 22, 2011 at 11:26 am
Okay, here we go. Based on all of her on-line bios, she graduated Clemson in 1994 with a degree in acctg. She began work for Exotica in 1994. http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikki_Haley Based on job appl. with LMC, she states she worked for FCR in Charlotte 1994-1996. After calling FCR’s Hum Res. dept for job verification, they could find nothing. Maybe the records did not go back that far? http:/fitsnews.com/2011/03/16/nikki-haley-the-lies-are-mounting Which is fact and which is fiction?
By Gary March 22, 2011 at 11:28 am
We should all ask a simple and straight forward question to Sic
If Haley is such a demon/Satan why the hell you were pumping her up as governor. Were you paid off by her detractors before elections to change your tune?? or it was a business decision to get more hits on your web site?
The hypocrisy and selfishness is crystal clear.
Now she is the Governor, duly elected by the people. Let her do her job and we will have a chance to assess her performance and vote her out if she is not up it. But I predict that she will surprise people and will turn out to be the most successful Governor of SC…watch and learn
By Jeff March 22, 2011 at 11:34 am
Gary…….you gotta be kidding Pal? Have you fallen off a turnip truck lately…and landed on your head?
By Prince Poppycock March 22, 2011 at 11:36 am
Oooooooo Gary – Defensive are we???? Is Nikki putting you up to this big boy??? Applications are worthless after the offer is made???? Is that what you are saying, honey cheeks? Doesn’t the hospital need those on file in case something fishy floats to the surface??
By cash March 22, 2011 at 11:44 am
Is Lex. Med. Ctr. involved in a coverup????
By Maxwell March 22, 2011 at 11:44 am
Shit Gary – You funny. Either you are Timmy, the liar behind the liar….or you two are ramming butt buddies. Nikki has tubed everything so far. Other than rubs and facials…….where’s the beef???
By Cherry March 22, 2011 at 11:49 am
Lex. Med. Ctr. had a very questionable relationship with the current sitting Governor of SC. You know the pucker factor is killing them every time Sic pops something about them. Fund raising??? You wanna give LMC any money????
By Soda March 22, 2011 at 12:02 pm
I’m with Wilber. The CEO probably popped a chubby when Nikki allegedly flashed the girls at him. He couldn’t stand it when she didn’t show up for two weeks. BTW, who blows off a 100K gig for two weeks???? She didn’t have time??? Couldn’t fit it in with the pampering?
By Huhhh??? March 22, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Think David in Columbia is right…a bunch of crooks cheating on their taxes.
I truly hope that when this much information about reported income VS cars and houses that bring the reported income into question, the IRS will start looking at the whole bunch.
Sounds like food stamp fraud cases I used to work back in the olden days.
By cash March 22, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Liar, cheater, cold mistreater.
By Fred March 22, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Gary’s turban is clearly blocking his view of realty.
Fred
By Frank March 22, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Gary – I thought Sic hurt your feelings and you were going to GO.
By cash March 22, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Gary is kind of like an std…they don’t just go away.
By 350ZLADY March 22, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Y’ALL SURE SPENDING ALOT OF TIME WORRYING ABOUT – WHAT???? IF NIKKI WAS OFFERED A JOB, THEN FILLED OUT THE APP…. SHE MAY HAVE BEEN ADVISED AS TO WHAT TO PUT BY SOMEONE AT LMC AND IS NOW TRYING TO PROTECT THEM…. NOT HER???? SHE MAY HAVE RECEIVED 125,000 YEAR… BUT NOT AS “SALARY” – COULD HAVE BEEN MERCHANDISE HER FAMILY GAVE HER OR “PERKS” – I GUESS YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO DO BUT SIT AROUND AND SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF 4TH GRADERS – BUT BILLY GOT A LOLLIPOP, WHY NOT ME?????? GET A GRIP, PLEASE
By HAMBONE March 22, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Great photo.
They paid to get laid.
Get it?
Pay – Lay
Who got screwed?
I suppose the hospital’s shareholders.
By Gupta March 22, 2011 at 5:58 pm
350ZLADY – I believe it is a mere part of a wide reaching pattern of lies and deceit?
By Scooter March 22, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Lying on an application will get you fired. Depending on what it is, there could be charges. I would think the application is the least of her worries if she did use that figure, as it contradicts her tax form. Ohhhh, my. Would she really tell a little lie? Has she told one before? Boom!
By cash March 23, 2011 at 2:23 am
Pathological liar…look it up.
By Asha March 23, 2011 at 7:51 am
No, Nikki and Eleanor would not lie. They are ethnic women. Nikki is methodist, she can have as many men as she wants.
By Manmeet March 23, 2011 at 7:52 am
Where can I find this Nikki?