S.C. Lt. Gov. Ken Ard has settled with the South Carolina State Ethics Commission after the agency accused him of committing more than 100 campaign finance violations.
Ard’s punishment?
Like other “Republicans in Name Only” before him (and no doubt other RINOs to come), Ard got a slap on the wrist. Specifically, he paid a $48,400 fine and reimbursed his campaign account in the amount of $13,700 – all to make up for a flood of flagrantly illegal campaign expenditures racked up in the months after he won election last November.
Case closed? Not hardly.
It turns out Ard’s indiscretions were much worse than originally thought. In fact, the ethics commission report outlining the violations committed by Ard is, quite simply, damning. In addition to detailing his numerous improper expenses, the report also chronicles how Ard (on multiple occasions) failed to shoot straight with ethics investigators.
Actually, “failed to shoot straight” is putting it nicely … this thick-accented, thicker-skulled bumpkin flat out lied in an effort to evade the consequences of his actions.
Obviously the news that Ard was substantially less that truthful with the Ethics Commission is nothing new – after all, earlier this year he was busted lying to the press about a quote he gave reporter Corey Hutchins of The (Columbia, S.C.) Free Times, the outlet that broke the story of his campaign indiscretions.
“I’ve got a vast amount of my personal wealth tied up in this campaign and I’m just trying to recoup as much of that as I can,” Ard told Hutchins.
After The Free Times story was published, however, Ard told the Associated Press that he had “no idea” where Hutchins got that quote. Days later, Hutchins released an audiotape of his interview with Ard that confirmed the accuracy of the statement.
Of course lying to a reporter is one thing … in fact, we’re pretty sure that’s a prerequisite for being a “Republican” in this state. But what about lying to ethics investigators?
That strikes us as downright criminal.
It’s hard not to miss the obvious pattern of deception here. Hell, even Ard’s infamous cover story about buying his wife a gown for the inauguration was a lie.
Take a look at a few of the more galling expense nuggets from the Ethics Commission report (and the lies Ard told to cover many of them up):
*$168 for two SEC Championship tickets
Ard told investigators he had reimbursed his campaign account for this purchase, however, his ethics reports did not reflect this claim.
*$722.33 and $577.96 on lodging in Columbia and Charleston (respectively)
Ard stated that these charges were campaign related, however, he failed to provide details of how or why they were related. The disclosure reports contain no contributions from anyone in Charleston or Columbia at this time.
*$2,543.10 for a family trip to Washington DC.
Ard claimed he traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Senator Lindsey Graham to discuss economic development issues. However Graham’s office says that Ard never even requested a meeting – and that Graham was out of town at the time. Ard brought his entire family along for the trip, though – and put all of the expenses on his campaign credit card.
*$800 on women’s clothes
Ard previously claimed that he spent $800 on an inaugural dress for his wife, Tammy. However, receipts show Ard used his campaign credit card to purchase a ladies jacket for $484.00 and a ladies skirt for $256.00. Neither of those clothing items were worn by Tammy Ard at the inauguration.
*$3,056.30 at Best Buy
Ard claimed he purchased “computers and other office equipment,” at Best Buy, but investigators found that he really purchased a Playstation 3 ($324.99) a 46-inch Sony Flat Screen Television ($974.99), an iPod Touch 8G ($229.99), an iPod charger ($15.99), an iPod case ($8.99), a set of Sony Earbud Headphones ($14.99), among other expenses.
*$560.67 at Half Moon Outfitters
Ard failed to disclose this purchase but investigators found that he purchased shoes, jackets, pants, shirts and boots at this high-end retailer.
*$313.51 at Talbots
Ard also failed to disclose any of these purchases on his disclosure report, but investigators found that he purchased one pair of ladies black/multi tweed pants ($119.00), one ladies red turtleneck ($50.50), one ladies pink turtleneck ($44.99) and one pair of ladies black corduroy pants ($69.50).
In addition to these expenses, Ard used campaign funds to pay for his wife Tammy Ard’s personal cell phone – although in fairness S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley made quite a few personal calls on a cell phone that she billed back to her campaign account (oh, and let’s not forget Haley’s ongoing failure to disclose campaign donor information that’s required by state law).
Anyway, the bottom line is that Ard’s indiscretions were far worse than anyone ever imagined.
“Right before the July 4th holiday weekend, the truth about Lt. Governor Ken Ard has finally come out,” Democratic operative Tyler Jones said Friday. “It turns out he has consistently lied to investigators at the S.C. Ethics Commission, the media, and the people of South Carolina. At what point will this man be held accountable for his actions and sent back to Effingham? It’s one thing to knowingly break ethics laws, but when you’re caught lying about breaking ethics laws, it’s time to pack your bags and go home. And that’s precisely what Ken Ard should do.”
We agree.
It would have been one thing if Ard – upon being busted – had told the truth and taken responsibility for his actions. If that were the case, we can see how a $48,400 fine and $13,700 reimbursement might fit the crime.
Given Ard’s duplicity, however … we find it absolutely unconscionable that he’s getting a hall pass.
When confronted with questionable expenses, Ard lied to the press – and misled investigators. For that, he should be out on his ass.
KEN ARD ETHICS INVESTIGATION REPORT (.pdf)
Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
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By Maxwell July 1, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Damn, Ard & Haley……how come Haley hasn’t been knocked up again?
By Maxwell July 1, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Oh….sorry…..focus, yup! Ard is a POS. Now, is Haley baron or what???
By Jack July 1, 2011 at 4:51 pm
What a joke that he is AG
By Jamerson July 1, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Shit, if you think that’s bad….take a look at the Governor!!!
By Fred July 1, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Ard has lots of troubles, especially as it is important that he been seen as damaged good, but not sent home. The Haley people need the “Andre Insurance Policy”, and by torpedoing Ard they got just that!
Haley even got Ard to use her lawyer in this ethics case!!
Poor Ken…castrated at such a young age…but very useful to Queen Haley. Very useful indeed!
By commonman July 1, 2011 at 5:14 pm
And we keep electing these ethically challenged politicians. You or I would be investigated, charged, convicted and held up as a trophy as to why justice is blind. In this case, justice is deaf, dumb, blind, and ignorant.
By Observer July 1, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Interesting – The Queen is trying to cover all the bases. If only Will Folks would leave her highness alone…..what a wonderful journey it would be.
By Wizno July 1, 2011 at 5:18 pm
I wanna hear Sic’s medical evidence…….same strain of clap? Same species of crabs, fleas, lice? Curry contaminated………could be anything????
By Popcorn July 1, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Was it Larry who stated he woke up to a horde of pube lice invading his neather region?
By Maxwell July 1, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Focus, this is suppose to be about Ard, not Nikki.
By dunder July 1, 2011 at 5:42 pm
@popcorn, they are actually called saber toothed crotch crickets.
By Sanford's Ass July 1, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Hey, that includes me too, you know buster. And I had to carry their water on the plane all the way back from China.
By Lord V July 1, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Are you allowed to bring foreign critters back to the US? What about customs?
By Sanford's Ass July 1, 2011 at 6:12 pm
They weren’t foreign, they came from Nikki……….
By Tango July 1, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Nasty……….anyone warn Tim yet?
By Larry's Dick July 1, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Tim’s the one who warned Ard, that’s why he has been avoiding Nikki for weeks.
By Maxwell July 1, 2011 at 6:17 pm
So, that’s why Nikki isn’t preggers…….those STCC must really hurt.
By quiet voice of reason July 1, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I agree with Commonman. How does this keep going on with no consequences? Where’s the freakin’ AG? Oh wait, he’s in bed with the rest of them. You know, we’ve forgotten in SC that there’s supposed to be a balance of power. But people keep electing anything with an “R” after its name and then are surprised when they’re all in bed together. Now yes, if we only elected “D”s the result would be the same — my point is that having elected officials from both — BOTH — parties is when things get done more honestly.
Now, they all have enough dirt on each other so that they all get to stay in office. Just like Sanford managed to do. If he went and Bauer had been promoted, then McConnell…. the whole power scene would have shifted, and none of them wanted that.
Will there ever be a real investigation with any real consequences?
By Billy Bob July 1, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Isn’t lying or giving false statements to investigators, a criminal offense?? SLED????
By giles July 1, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Was Ard dumb enough to use Nikki’s lawyers? Wow, if so, he should be tossed out for that!
By Scooter July 1, 2011 at 8:03 pm
First, This is so sorry. Another sad story about SC. Second, Somebody needs to look into Haley and do something about what she has done. They both are not ethically fit to run the state. Politics is one thing, but lying and cheating is another. Please, SLED and AG, do something other than a slap on the wrist. I am sick of letting this stuff go. We have these two in office, even with all the information about their poor behaviors and lies, because we let Sanford stay. If these two stay, imagine what the next 2 will try to do. Wake up folks. Let’s hold these two responsible. Out with both of them.
By fitsnews July 1, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Maxwell,
She’s not pregnant cause she had a procedure done after her second child was born.
-FITS
By snarkycondition July 1, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Like Nikki Haley who just increased her office salaries by $250K, Ard has generously pumped up salaries for his inner circle. His chief of staff is Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce’s bagman Brant Brantham, now being paid $110,000 vs. the $95,000 Andre Bauer paid his last chief of staff. Ard’s Office on Aging director Tony Keister is making $105,000 compared to the $93,000 Bauer paid State Treasurer Curtis Loftis to be his aging director. Half a dozen bureaucrats in Ard’s Office on Aging have each received raises of $1,000. In other words, 85-year-old widows are missing Meals on Wheels so Ard can take care of his buddies.
By voodoo dr July 2, 2011 at 12:14 am
FORMER AG COMMISSIONER SHARPE WENT TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR 2 YEARS BECAUSE HE LIED ABOUT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES. IT’S CALLED THE “HOBBS ACT” USING PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PERSONAL GAIN.
By That Boz Guy @ The Beach July 2, 2011 at 3:03 am
/// His chief of staff is Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce’s bagman Brant Brantham, now being paid $110,000 vs. the $95,000 Andre Bauer paid his last chief of staff. ///
snarkycondition, let’s not forget the fact that Brant “Bagman” Branham is also reportedly one of the prime targets of the FBI/IRS probe into the MBACC’s Coastal Kickback scam, as a result of being the bagman for those crooked-ass crony capitalist creeps.
By Maxwell July 2, 2011 at 11:06 am
Ah, Nikki is snipped, got her tubes tied, good idea considering. So, when do we get the “she lied” press conference along with the refusal to resign???
By Rapture July 2, 2011 at 11:11 am
Sic, need a poll…..test your reader’s grasp of political scandals.
Which path of defeat will Nikki follow?
1. Blago
2. Ensign
3. Weiner
4. Sanford
I’m thinking a 1 & 3 combo myself, India will be so proud.
By Charlie July 2, 2011 at 11:17 am
Is the cuckhold even sure he is the biological father. I would personally have serious doubts.
By Rijiv July 2, 2011 at 11:21 am
Ah…..where is the OWB on this one? A Nikki and Ard double whamming.
By Gupta July 2, 2011 at 11:22 am
Well, since Balsak and Boz appear to be missing, perhaps he too should be afraid of the Tea Party goons.
By Bollywood July 2, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Sic, Wanger of the Pubes and Curry favored Haley twice last week, while putting you in a bad light. Call em up, tell em you want an interview…..let us know what they say.
By Ramon July 2, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Sic……article ideas:
TIPS
Darla
Pearson
Loftis
Wenger
P & C
You know, you plop a picture of Wenger on your site with alittle background……..and she will never pull that crap on you again.
By Carol July 2, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Will, both of those P&C Haley articles were not fair to you. I hope you approach them for your side of the story.
By Bollywood July 2, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Yeah, the Pubes and Curry did you wrong, man. You gotta make em pay.
By steve jr July 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm
By Maxwell July 1, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Oh….sorry…..focus, yup! Ard is a POS. Now, is Haley baron or what???
BARREN!
By Maxwell July 2, 2011 at 4:29 pm
No, wait, Sarah told me to double down. Baron as in a title of nobility. She’s Queen of SC. Right? So, know what? I did not mess up. Baron does apply to Nikki in so many ways.
By tomstickler July 2, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Why is this hiding in the “Sports” section?
By Unicorn July 2, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Since Nikki is so popular, guys gotta fight to get Nikki’s knockers. The results are posted every Tues and Thurs in C-4, 3rd paragraph.
By Unicorn July 2, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Oh, you mean Ard’s problems??
By Rapture July 2, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Something tells me the Pubes and Curry are gonna stay clear of the Folks-Haley sex scandal from now on. If sugar coating is to be done, its Will’s turn.
By One flew over th cookcooks nest July 2, 2011 at 6:47 pm
•
Lord Acton said, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Let us review recent history:
Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Sharpe, illegal contributions (payoffs)
Lt Gov. Bob Peeler, Adulterer, affair with campaign worker
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, lead foot numerous infractions, speeding in excess 100 mph
Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, indicted and served time, drug conviction
Comptroller Richard Eckstrom, Adulterer, Sexual harrassment, used State car for private family vacation
Gov. Mark Sanford, Adulterer, secretly left State for Liaison wit Argentine paramor
Lt Gov. Ken Ard Numerous ethics failures
Gov. Nikki Haley, too many infractions and allegations to list
What is wrong with the electorate in SC?
Walt Kelly, “We have met the enemy and it is us.”
Are we so apathetic and ignorant, we cannot cast an intelligent vote?
James Pettigrew, “SC is too small to be a republic, too large to be an insane asylum.”
Mr. Pettigrew may have missed the mark, I think we have achieved the latter, we may very be an insane asylum afterall, or at least, a majority!
Some will only vote for a (D), some for a (R) irregardless of qualifications, morals, ethics, integrity, honesty. Sounds like an asylum to me.
By Frampton July 2, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Corruption………is bad. Corruption with a sex-crazed bat-shit crazy loon of the Tea Party is worse.