Of all the lies that S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has told during her rise to power in the Palmetto state, the most glaringly obvious one involves her infamous “resume phantom.”
After six months of digging, though, it appears as though this “phantom” is about to be conclusively identified … as none other than Nikki Haley. Obviously, this “revelation” will come as no surprise to most South Carolinians (who knew it all along), although we suspect that the Internal Revenue Service will be very interested in this bit of information.
How come?
Well, in August of 2008 Haley submitted an employment application to Lexington Medical Center – which wound up employing her for twenty months as a vastly-overpaid “fundraiser.” This job application included a 2007 income estimate which vastly exceeded the amount of money Haley reported to the IRS that year. Specifically, Haley’s application stated that she made $125,000 from her family clothing business in 2007 (a figure that would explain her $300,000 home, Cadillac SUV, etc.).
The only problem with that figure? On her federal tax returns, Haley reported making only $22,000 from the “family business” that year.
The initial suspicion was that Haley may have lied on her job application – although the much more damaging allegation revolves around the possibility that Haley lied on her tax returns.
Either way, the discrepancy was uncovered as part of an independent investigation launched in February by former Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) Chairman John Rainey. When reporter John O’Connor of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper busted Haley on this discrepancy a month later – the governor trotted out her chief of staff Tim Pearson to (once again) lie on her behalf.
“She never said that she made $125,000 from Exotica,” Pearson told The State. “The application does not have her signature on it … the governor did not fill out the application that has her making $125,000 a year.”
Later, though, the hospital revealed that anyone fraudulently filling out the application online “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 have had to know the user name and password that Haley (or her phantom) created for the purpose of submitting the application.
These revelations forced Haley to respond to the mounting scrutiny herself. In doing so, she admitted filling out a two page application with the hospital (one that contains her signature), but she denied filling out the longer-form five-page application.
“I’m not concerned about it. It was a piece of paper that I didn’t fill out, that I didn’t sign, that had no information from me on it at all,” Haley told the Charleston Post and Courier. “I never gave that ($125,000) number.”
“Go on the website and you’ll see for yourself,” Haley added. “I didn’t sign it.”
Haley reiterated these denials to the Associated Press.
“I had no input on that form,” she said. “I did not sit in front of the computer and fill it out online. I did not sign it. And never did I mention the number 125 to the hospital or to anyone else, because that’s not an accurate number.”
Wait … “I did not sit in front of the computer and fill it out online?” Hmmmm …
At the time, nobody bought Haley’s explanations. In fact, according to a FITS poll published at the time of the scandal, a whopping 96 percent of respondents said they thought Haley was lying. Things got even worse for the governor a few days later when reporter Robert Kittle of WSPA TV 7 (CBS – Spartanburg) caught her in another lie regarding the password to the account that was used to submit the information.
“There was no password. The password was where I graduated from high school,” Haley told Kittle (video here).
Wow … talk about an “insta-contradiction.”
Anyway, over time the scandal died down … giving way to numerous other Haley missteps.
Several months later, though, the first smoking gun turned up in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted by Rainey to the hospital. In responding to this FOIA request, the hospital’s attorney noted that Haley’s application wasn’t really two separate documents – as she alleged – but rather a single electronic document.
“Based upon a review of LMC’s information systems, it appears that the application was completed electronically on August 5, 2008 beginning at 5:39 p.m.,” hospital attorney David B. Summer wrote to Rainey. “The ’2-page section’ and ’5-page section’ to which you refer are both part of a single electronic application.”
In other words, the same person who submitted all of Haley’s detailed personal information also provided the hospital with the questionable $125,000 figure. Not only that, Summer added that Haley personally signed the two-page section at the hospital at a later date – taking care to note that her signature covered the entire seven pages of information that she submitted.
Smelling blood, Rainey sent a letter back to the hospital’s attorney in June asking how Haley could have simultaneously confirmed and denied filling out different parts of a “single electronic application.” He also asked Summer to explain how Haley’s written signature eventually wound up on the two page document. Finally, Rainey asked the hospital to turn over any records related to the password that was used to access Haley’s application.
According to a source at Lexington Medical Center, the hospital is currently compiling additional information pursuant to Rainey’s request – and that this information will be “damning” to Haley. Specifically, we’re told that the hospital is on the verge of confirming publicly that Haley “personally reviewed” all seven pages of the electronic application before affixing her signature to the document – which along with the “single electronic application” revelation would be additional proof of her culpability.
Also, we’re told that Lexington Medical Center leaders – who were initially very protective of Haley in terms of their handling this scandal – are now furious with the governor for suggesting to a pair of reporters that hospital employees might have been responsible for entering the $125,000 figure on the application.
Obviously these developments mean real problems for the governor … whose pre-gubernatorial employment continues to come back and bite her on multiple fronts.
What makes this particular scandal so ridiculous? Haley didn’t even have to lie about her income on the form. After all, the hospital created the job explicitly for her (even though both Haley and Lexington Medical Center lied about that little detail at the time the position was created).
Of course it’s not just the money Haley told Lexington Medical Center she was making that’s being investigated – the money that the hospital paid her is also being examined (along with allegations that she lobbied for the hospital in exchange for her inflated salary).
Specifically, why did Haley report that she was being paid by the hospital’s non-profit foundation on her campaign disclosure forms when she was really being paid by the hospital itself? Was it because Lexington Medical Center is a lobbyist principal? Also, why are there numerous discrepancies between the income Haley declared on these forms and the income she declared to the IRS?
Increasingly, it’s looking as though the public may actually wind up getting answers to those questions … although we suspect that those answers will not be readily forthcoming from our “transparent” governor.
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By INTERNET BACKBONE August 12, 2011 at 11:01 am
guess Trey had the inside
By We all know she lied...but the REAL question is... August 12, 2011 at 11:06 am
How is it this Bitch has managed to avoid an audit from the IRS so far?
I own a business and they crawl up my damn ass when I forget to mail in my quarterly’s.
It just goes to show that the ruling elite truly get favored status and are above the law.
By cash August 12, 2011 at 11:20 am
Have a feeling that the India trip is gonna be a one-wayer. But then again, she may not be allowed to leave the country. That’s where Raj Mantena might help.
By Nikki's Twitter August 12, 2011 at 11:30 am
I am so excited. I fired Keel, who fired Lancaster. Shannon is back with me!
By Nikki's Twitter August 12, 2011 at 11:33 am
Oh, wrong scandal. LMC reeks of corrupt managers, who keep horrible records, which is why I quit and sued them. Get excited, they are now my bitch.
By Wesley's Twitter August 12, 2011 at 11:53 am
I’m not gonna bash his skull in. USC fans, Haley goons, or Keel goobers!!
By eggaday August 12, 2011 at 11:54 am
To We all know she lied:
The IRS picks and chooses who they will and WILL NOT investigate.
Currently, another hospital in Columbia, which is listed as a 501 C 3 also has some explaining to do.
This 501 C 3 entity, which glaringly means- non profit- is holding 401 A profit sharing accounts for their employees.
The IRS has ignored this as well.
It all goes back to Sanfraud. Check it out.
By LMC Twitter August 12, 2011 at 12:16 pm
We are no longer affiliated with Nimrata Haley whatsoever. Leave us alone.
By follow the money August 12, 2011 at 1:02 pm
When will there be any discussion about the references on the application and whether all contractors are being slow paid by DOT?
By Uncle Sam August 12, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Can you believe a retired two star works for dimlit nimrod Nikki?
By Perry Mason August 12, 2011 at 1:18 pm
References? Nimrata securing favorable references? Absolutely impossible.
By UK Feed August 12, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Nathan Fails to Pack Nikki Haley’s Fudge at Governor’s Mansion
By HoneyDo August 12, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Those who voted her into office got exactly what they deserve….those who supported her & campaigned on her behalf also got exactly what they deserve. Those of us who did NOT vote for her now have an opportunity to sit back and watch you guys who did vote for her squirm. You may never admit that you made a terrible mistake but we all know that deep down, you really know you did. If you lie about a small thing then you will lie about bigger more important things. Let’s just hope that next election we all make better choices in whom we vote into office. In politics just as in everyday life, we should always do the right thing…not just for ourselves but for those around us. The problem is that many, but NOT ALL in politics are self serving and only looking out for their political careers and once elected, really couldn’t care less about those of us whom they represent. Its sad but so true…..
By cash August 12, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Curtis, this is your time to shine. Shine, you will. Apparently, you and Will Folks are the only ones who are not afraid to stand up to the toxic Gov.
By David in Columbia August 12, 2011 at 2:56 pm
I’m still flummoxed as to why this idiot state voted her into office at all. She was a sham from the very beginning! People here are so ignorant, they only look at the -R next to someone’s name, and that’s good enough for them. Even Republicans have got to admit at this point that Sheheen would have been SO much better for our state!
By Wacko's Cousin August 12, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Sic, how come Nikki used you as a reference for this phony position?
By Wacko's Cousin August 12, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Nikki, is Vicki and Shannon still taking care of your waxing needs?
By jimlewis,owb August 12, 2011 at 3:26 pm
David in Columbia
It was that damn parade in Little Mountain right before the election.
There I was waiting for the parade start, minding my own business and up walks this lady, sticks out her hand and says, hi I’m Kelly Payne and hope you will vote for my friend Nikki to be Governor.
Well, shit I ain’t about to let a woman’s hand go to waste that quick. At that time I had no idea where that hand had been, so I grabbed it and shook it like I had not taken a piss in days.
No sooner than I let go, she wanted to know if we (I was with more than one bubba and by that time all of us had lost control of our lower regions) wanted to meet Nikki.
Sure,yes sang out the, our peckers are getting hard, bubba choir. In no time we all had a little piece of Nikki and a commitment was made by all to vote Haley.
Now, I do and have done a lot of no good over the past 65+ years but I don’t back down on a promise.
Yes, I voted Haley.
By Mrs. Ethel Krabitz August 12, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Whatever internet server recieved the application has an IP address from the server it came from….right?
Maybe Nimroda’s mother never told her, “what is done in the dark WILL come to light”. Somebody please turn the light on this fraud.
By cash August 12, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Ethel, the light been turned on for months now. For the true conservatives of Lexington, much longer.
By lexconserve August 12, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Hey, Corey Hudgens (Free Times), why don’t you tell us what you know about Exotica International. It’s time.
By David in Columbia August 12, 2011 at 3:58 pm
I’m curious about Exotica as well… especially since she used her office to shut down and audit of her parents’ business. She gets away with a ton of crooked acts and after a brief story in the news, nothing happens. What gives?
And Jim Lewis… you know me. I did all those caricatures for you… hope you and the gang at Fat Buddies are doing well… : )
By Huhhh??? August 12, 2011 at 4:01 pm
HoneyDo, essentially this 51.3% of the that races voters were very same bunch of people who voted for Mark Sanford.
If they didn’t/couldn’t learn from that slap in the face about their bad judgement, I don’t have much hope that most will do any better next time around.
These are people who should be banned from voting on the basis of thinking whatever comes out of any politicians mouth just has to be true and what comes out about their lives just has to be a meaningless lie. Talk about bizarre thinking…a true life example of refusing to believe what their lying eyes are seeing.
By Huhhh??? August 12, 2011 at 4:07 pm
BTW, people need to get a grip about Curtis Loftis. Deifying ANY politician the way that is happening with him is real dangerous, considering the abject losers the SCGOP historically elects to office.
99.9% of voters actually know nothing about the people they vote for. To turn them into gods is the kind of thing that makes us worthy of being considered NOT to big to be an insane asylum.
By Huhhh??? August 12, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Besides, it don’t really take much to look good compared the Trikki. Sh is the dregs.
By Teat Man August 12, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Mrs. Haley is a liar and a serial adulterer, just like her mentor and friend, Mark Sanford.
This is what you get when you let a bunch of low lifes hi-jack the Republican Party.
Mrs. Haley, the self proclaimed Tea Party candidate, has expanded State Government, lied repeatedly, cut back room deals with the RINOs, and let down everyone who voted for her, except perhaps her friends who are now sucking at the public teat.
Vince might have been worse, but I dont see how.
By Is this SHIITE for real August 12, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Exotica, the Randhawa’s smokin’ gun. Things aren’t always as they seem. Corey, if you’re out there, tell us what you know.
By lance August 12, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Were run out of Bamberg, and were close to being run out of Lexington. Scammers…all the way.
By garden city gnome August 12, 2011 at 5:31 pm
meanwhile…..
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/194478/20110808/rick-perry-nikki-haley-2012-gop-presidential-campaign-tea-party.htm
By James August 12, 2011 at 7:33 pm
@uk feed
Could it be that Nathan already packed Nikki’s fudge at the Gov. mansion.
By India Customs August 13, 2011 at 7:54 am
As a former Sikh, claiming to be white, explains Nikki fondness for rosebud romps with white men. Nikki believes this validates her whiteness, especially if the males are as white as Nathan.
By UK Feed August 13, 2011 at 7:58 am
According to Pierce Morgan, it simply couldn’t fit. That is why Nikki must chose fudge packers her height or shorter.
By Assembly Vote August 13, 2011 at 8:01 am
All those who have never deflowered Nikki Haley’s rosebud confirm by voting Aye.
COMPLETE SILENCE
By Bollywood August 13, 2011 at 8:16 am
Ok, what did I miss? Who is Nathan? And how come Sic has never mentioned this trip around the dark side with Nikki? Is this why she insists she is white?
By lance August 13, 2011 at 9:23 am
Odd that she is the only white in her family.
By Frank Wilson August 13, 2011 at 10:26 am
Timmy P. is leaving for a position on a prez campaign. watch and see.
By Prince Poppycock August 13, 2011 at 11:28 am
Timmy P. used to be the big stick in Nikki’s inner circle, before Nathan and Col. Cock entered. Timmy is out. Nikki needs insisits on big.
By Bollywood August 13, 2011 at 11:31 am
lance – Nikki was told if she nailed enough white guys…….
By Wallys World August 13, 2011 at 11:34 am
What does Nikki and Tiger Woods have in common? They are both people of color playing with white stuff only. Didn’t MJ stay strictly white as well? Interesting.
By Ralph Hightower August 13, 2011 at 3:21 pm
How can you tell that SC Guv’not Nikki Haley is lying?
Simple, she opens her mouth to swallow Will’s sausage.
By tomstickler August 13, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Getting back to tax returns a little. Sic, if you have access to Nikki’s SC1040s, let us know if she ever paid any use taxes — you know, from untaxed Internet purchases, subscriptions, etc.
By dog August 13, 2011 at 8:03 pm
SC is expendable, so voting Republican for national reasons is probably a fair tradeoff.
Not that SC couldn’t CHOOSE better Republicans, but that isn’t likely.
She hasn’t done much damage because she hasn’t done much governing.