S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley treated members of her staff to a lavish retreat earlier this month on Kiawah Island – an exclusive resort destination located on the South Carolina coast.
Close to twenty people attended the event – including the governor and numerous taxpayer-funded employees.
Details are sketchy at this point, but we’re told that an exclusive report regarding the retreat will be published this weekend in The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier. One of Haley’s early legacy media allies, the Post and Courier recently exposed her “high on the hog” living during a taxpayer-funded trip to Paris, France.
Haley responded to the story by dismissing the reporter who wrote it as a “little girl.”
The purported organizer of the Kiawah trip was local real estate magnate Pat McKinney – a major Haley campaign contributor whose future son-in-law is one of the youthful and inexperienced Haley staffers currently drawing big bucks from the taxpayers. McKinney reportedly hooked Haley and her entourage up with digs at Kiawah’s exclusive Cassique neighborhood, billed as “the rarest of settings” where “roses, camellias, and tea olive provide a visual feast while adding their own perfume to the sea air.”
Sounds nice, huh?
FITS was tipped off to the getaway on August 28 when one of our sources in Haley’s office emailed us saying that the governor’s staff would be out of the office from September 1-2.
The source declined to provide any additional information about the trip, however, and we were unable to get anyone to talk about the getaway.
According to our sources, the trip was paid for with campaign funds – although Haley may have run afoul of state ethics laws which forbid government workers from doing campaign work on taxpayer time. One source, however, says that up to $4,000 in tax money may have been spent on the trip.
That report could not immediately be confirmed.
S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford frequently held staff retreats, although his were usually conducted at his Coosaw Plantation in Beaufort County. Also, Sanford made sure that the retreats did not take place during working hours.
UPDATE: So here’s the big Post and Courier “story,” written by Haley admirer/ apologist Yvonne Wenger. It’s absolutely the best possible coverage Haley could have hoped for – with no mention of the fact that the trip took place on taxpayer time, no mention of a powerful donor setting it up and no mention of the hard partying (or controversial sleeping arrangements) associated with the getaway.
UPDATE II: Wenger’s story on Haley’s retreat was pulled from the Post and Courier’s front page less than nine hours after it was first posted.
***
By BigT September 9, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Haley is a Tea Party Favorite. FITS calls the Tea Party Credible and he sided w/ them and against business, in the Amazon deal…
It’s easy to claim some sort of political vision, afterward. But FITS’ record is not better than Haley’s. In fact, yall agree on a lot…
By Andy September 9, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Meh. Another FITSYfit for Nikki to swat away. Seven more years of this shit, sports fans.
By RedTick September 9, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Did she stay at The Sanctuary? Dollars to doughnuts she did. Ocean view rooms start at $600.00+ per night with suites near $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 per night. She is star struck! Who does she think she is — Donald Trump with a tan?
By bogart September 9, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Fits don’t forget that Sanford held a staff retreat in Argentina.Oh thats right MBC held Sanfords staff while he was on retreat in Argentina,can’t remember if that was before or after the moon started glowing.Ok enough about trivial little things……..Nikki is a bad bad LITTLE GIRL and the posters at Huffington Post are ripping her apart.
By Wow September 9, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Crud thats nothing – look at the Tax payer funded Solicitor’s conference held every year. Kiawah, Hilton Head, or Myrtle Beach resort Condos. Party for 4 days, free food and free alcohol – all tax payer funded.
By Les Miserables September 9, 2011 at 6:43 pm
“…Kiawah’s exclusive Cassique neighborhood, billed as ‘the rarest of settings’ where ‘roses, camellias, and tea olive provide a visual feast while adding their own perfume to the sea air.’”
*****
Golly, when we wanted to have a nice meeting with our staff or customers, we’d set up tables near the work shed and have Dukes Bar-B-Que cater.
With the iced tea, macaroni, cole slaw, rice, corn bread, Jello for dessert, and plastic plates, forks, spoons and knives:
$8.50 a head, tips appreciated by the wonderful Dukes people, who cater from their truck.
We’re “Les Miserables” compared to the Governor and her entourage.
They dine first class, a la carte.
By Sick of Pandering September 9, 2011 at 6:51 pm
When is someone…. ANYONE going to put a stop to this? She is making fools of all of the people who voted for her. They should be punished for not checking the facts, but rest of us don’t deserve it!!!
By Charlie September 9, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Damn Nikki, better hope Renee Dudley doesn’t get this assignment. Campaign funds, mixed with state funds, mixed with work hours, really?
Pingback: Dudley A Hero, Haley A Zero!
By Mitchell September 9, 2011 at 7:51 pm
If we are going to look at Haley and complain, lets be sure to look at each and every elected official in the state. And while we are at it each and every government employee. Bottom line they are are spending way too much of our money. In fact, we should investigate the reporters while we are at it because they are driving the cost of their publications up by padding their expense accounts too, we just don’t care as much. And what about each of us? Are we overspending too? I’m guessing yes. As for using the word “hero” to describe a reporter, isn’t that word way overused. What is so heroic about doing your job? At this point in time everyone’s a hero, including me for making a comment. How about we concentrate on the big ticket problems in the state. I’m not saying ignore these nickel and dime wastes, but how about showing some outrage over the big problems.
By Rascal September 9, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Mitchell, wanna hear some outraged? Huffington Post has an article on Nikki’s littlegirlgate…. so far there are over 3,600 comments, mostly negative of Nikki & the Tea Party freaks who got her elected.
By Media Whiz September 9, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Ahh, soooooo…. that means Huffpost will be keeping a keen eye on Nikki….which is the last thing on earth she needs. I bet Godfrey is choking on his walnuts about now.
By Rascal September 9, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Right, thing is…..littlegirlgate is nothing, just so minute. Wait unti one of the big problems surface…….whew.
By Media Whiz September 9, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Make that 3,800 comments in about six hours.
By Media Whiz September 9, 2011 at 8:08 pm
We gotta give Sic credit for unrelentlessly tweaking Nikki’s last nerve. Who knows why she isn’t more careful, and thoughtful.
By Taxpayer September 9, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Finally, Nikki is close to the top of the page, right under Obama. The reporter story is close to 4000 comments, and the drug story is approaching 1000 comments. Bad news travels fast.
By Sawyer September 9, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Nikki wants mainstream…..ok, let her chew on Arianna for awhile.
By Media Whiz September 9, 2011 at 8:30 pm
They say it takes 20 dollars of good news, to make up for 1 dollar of bad news….poor Nikki.
By Larry September 9, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Paris trip.
She did had a different room. More expensive and paid for by private citizen. Her room sat vacant.
She had a three car motorcade everywhere she went, paid for by an European company.
The “two deals” she claims to have signed are deals that were started years ago and their coming to SC had nothing to do with Haley or Paris.
She plays us for fools and she appears to be right.
By Media Whiz September 9, 2011 at 8:59 pm
So Nikki could have brought two people, like other states.
By Media Whiz September 9, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Or Nikki could have skipped it, and offered the money to schools?
By Mrs. Ethel Krabitz September 9, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Keep at it, Post and Courier. Let her have it – right between the eyes. We’ve had some shittay Gov.’s…..but this one’s beyond the pale.
By Rascal September 9, 2011 at 9:03 pm
So far, Nikki is averaging a negative comment every 6 seconds.
By Rascal September 9, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Ethel, I tell ya, that one story….fed Huffpost the drug nonsense, reporter bash, lame apology… she is rocking Arianna’s world. I hope Nikki gets invited for an interview. If Arianna can fuck with Brian on Family Guy, she can fuck with Nikki.
By Ball's Itch September 9, 2011 at 9:07 pm
I thought France was old news, I bet Nikki did too.
By Uniform September 9, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Well, she axed Huntsman, sucked on Michelle who is crashing, forgot to shave her puss when Mitt visited, and Perry is crazy.
By Wacko September 9, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Whoa, everybody knows Mitt demands a bald bugger, he hates pubic lice.
By Mike at the Beach September 9, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Still surprised that the Lancaster thing can’t seem to get any statewide traction… weird.
By Candide September 10, 2011 at 12:31 am
Nikki’s persona will snap like a timber when Will publishes his libertine and colorful “Liaisons Dangereuses”, including moans, groans, huggin’ and kissin’.
Even “proper” folks will read and gossip about this very sexy governor, but it’ll be like nonfiction from Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin.
“She’s the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success … wrong by wrong.” — Mae West.
By Calhoun Fawls September 10, 2011 at 5:17 am
Didnt Ard get in trouble over using campaign funds for personal use? Going on a defacto vacation has to be looked at by the Ethics Commission.
And a Governor should not have anything paid for them by private businesses such hotel rooms, rental cars, clothing, etc. I know it has went on before. But, Governor Haley promised to be clean and open. I wonder if someone in the House or Senate has the gumption to challenge her in the GOP primary?
By Media Whiz September 10, 2011 at 5:23 am
GOP primary? She’s not going to finish out this term. Not sure which scandal, but there’s a baker’s dozen which could doom her.
By Rascal September 10, 2011 at 5:55 am
In a Global Recession, did Nikki not think that a lavish vacation to France with 27 is not excessive? Now, Nikki is featured on the Huffpost with 6,700 comments for the reporter, over 1000 for the drugs, and who knows? This champagne gem? Huntsman? Lancaster? Ard? When Laura asked Nikki if she brought a group to France, she said no. 27 is not considered some kind of group?
By Observer September 10, 2011 at 6:00 am
Dudley needs to look at Nikki reporting 25K to the IRS, while at the same time reporting 110K to LMC. Fraud. May not get ethics folks involved, but a great story to go viral.
By Rascal September 10, 2011 at 6:24 am
Atlantc Wire: “Nikki Haley Has ‘Girl’ Problems”
“Nikki Haley is having image issues. We thought she might let her………
Heck, I was getting excited. I thought they were going to talk about Nikki’s exceptionally small breasts……..
Some say any press is good press, not sure in Nikki’s case.
By Rascal September 10, 2011 at 6:26 am
Politico – Ben Smith. He just couldn’t resist.
By Manmeet September 10, 2011 at 6:33 am
Nikki screwed the cow. She was given 25K by Exotica, stole 85K from the temple, and claimed 110K to LMC.
By Nikki's Legacy September 10, 2011 at 6:39 am
“Nimrata Nikki Randhawa Haley is a not-minority white person. Is it just because non-white people are not allowed to vote in the South? No, it is because Nikki Haley acts white and loves her white state of mind and voting like a white person. She is so white, in fact, that she responded to a request by the NAACP to finally get rid of the dumb, racist Confederate flag in front of the Statehouse with a very white-persony, “nah.”
By Manmeet September 10, 2011 at 6:41 am
That’s why we in India call Nikki a coconut.
By Jon Stewart September 10, 2011 at 7:41 am
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley TOP COPS SEX SCANDALS
Nikki, might want to check out The Daily Show forums……
By Perry Mason September 10, 2011 at 8:11 am
Well, Dan Rather has 127 comments, while Nookie Nikki has over 7000, mostly bad. Dudley’s article wasn’t even linked, until Nikki called her a little girl, and then botched the apology. Wicked.
By Huhhh??? September 10, 2011 at 8:51 am
Pay attention…Nikki is like Mark, she spends many a Friday or Monday at a coastal “event”…which means a weekend at the beach. It’s a nice way to get the cost of the trip stuck on the taxpayers.
By Rascal September 10, 2011 at 8:56 am
Huhhh??? Interesting, something a Post & Courier intern could handle, tracking Nikki’s long weekends, with a camera. Nice tip.
By Wallys World September 10, 2011 at 9:47 am
“In 2006 Haley and her husband, Michael, claimed only $40,269 in combined income. This was while the couple was paying a $289,000 mortgage, driving a luxury SUV and raising two children.”
I’m guessing that is something Nikki didn’t want on a national media site. People are digging deep now, very, very, deep. If they get a hold of Rainey’s stuff……… or the Darla Moore debacle…….
By Wallace September 10, 2011 at 10:06 am
Godfrey, Nikki has lost control. The reporter comment and lame apology is going viral. MSNBC spliced the reporter story, to the France trip, to the apology.
“The story painted a grossly inaccurate picture and was unprofessionally done, I’ll forgive her bad story, if she’ll forgive my poor choice of words.”
MSNBC??? You can’t blacklist MSNBC, sorry.
By Media Whiz September 10, 2011 at 10:09 am
See what happens when you criticize the largest newspaper in SC?
By Observer September 10, 2011 at 10:13 am
Nikki…. Sic, Renee, & Jody are watching. What are you going to do?
By Observer September 10, 2011 at 10:15 am
Oh, I won’t call Melanie Balog any names either, she’s not a big fan.
By Nikki's Twitter September 10, 2011 at 10:17 am
Get Excited. I’m on MSNBC. Any news is good news, is that right?
By Alabaster II September 10, 2011 at 10:33 am
Why did Nikki put all the blame on Renee? She was doing her job, probably on the orders of her boss who has the final say on what can be edited and published. If any, Nikki should have complained to the editor not the journalist. If this was a free lance article then it is a different story.
It is about time P@C has the guts to hire a thorough investigative journalist. Wish she had been there when Sanford went AWOL and the aftermath of that storm.
By Media Whiz September 10, 2011 at 11:04 am
Renee is fast. Nikki would have never survived the primary. People on Huffpost are digging into Nikki 2006 crap. Real media don’t let people like Nikki slide. She is finding that out the hard way.
By Maxwell September 10, 2011 at 11:06 am
The Darla Moore fiasco did make the Washington Post. And it is still are sore point. That was one of Nikki’s worst mistakes of many.
By Maxwell September 10, 2011 at 11:10 am
Renee Dudley prompted 7,500 comments on Huffpost, & is on MSNBC.
By Alabaster II September 10, 2011 at 11:40 am
Most of those comments were vile and vulgar not all were about Nikki. Most were anti Tea Party, anti women, anti SC voters, etc. Sock puppets had a field day using this article to vend off their steam.
By Rainbow September 10, 2011 at 11:50 am
Well, it was not a favorable article, so you would expect a reaction to a tea party darling, who spent wild money on a luxury french party. Some were clever, some were mean. Quite interesting overall.
By Carol September 10, 2011 at 11:53 am
They were not kind. Hard to find nice things to say in that situation.
By bogart September 10, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Alabaster……I forget,who was it that defined sock puppets for you? You’ve come a long way from not knowing what they are to being able to spot them out of 7ooo comments.Fast learner,you.
By Media Whiz September 10, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Ya, 7881 on that one article so far, over 10,000 for all three.
By Ralph Hightower September 10, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Cue up the “Green Acres” music.
Nikki: “I love Paris!”
“Fresh Air!”
Nikki: “I love Champagne!”
“PBR!”
Nikki: “I love New York!”
“Charleston!”
Nikki: “South Carolina is where I don’t want to be!”
Nikki: “Just get me the hell out of South Carolina”.
By Media Whiz September 10, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Foxnews is blistering Haley over France, Dudley, and Apology. So far over 1,500 comments slamming her about everything. Whew, Godfrey is gonna need some Double Stuffed Oreos.
By RedTick September 10, 2011 at 4:53 pm
@Bogart. You say to Alabaster II, “who was it that defined sock puppets for you?” That is an interesting comment coming from a Fits regular. So, Alabaster II spots a couple sockpuppets (one word) out of 7,000 under your tutelage and even I admit that’s a keen eye.
However, I am surprised that you have never been more vocal about the numerous sockpuppets here at FitsNews. (although, for the last several months, the sockpuppet extraordinaire here at Fits has been lying low) At one time certain posts here were completely dominated by a few individuals acting as dozens. Another regular here, Common Sense needs your tutorship. He couldn’t find a sockpuppet if it had Curious George embroidered across its chest.
Not to change the subject, but Will Folks could suddenly become “nationally” known if this Haley storm gathers any more steam. When the big boys start coming to this website and they find more substance (he is very capable) rather than a spate of sophomoric and crude comments the heavies will seek his opinions. Time will tell.
By Ed September 10, 2011 at 5:33 pm
She is enjoying her white-trash to Governor success story and do it on the backs of the taxpayers. I mean,she is white, according to her. Transparent? Not remotely. Fiscally responsible? Not a chance.
By jimlewis,owb September 10, 2011 at 6:14 pm
The Gypsy Queen gets hungry.
Evening, this is Erbby of Erbby’s 5 to 12 Mercantile.
Yes Ma’am we can deliver to the Cassique neighborhood. Yes Ma’am I know the Villas by the sea are beautiful.
Yes Ma’am, I’ll take a check from the State provided you have three forms of Photo ID.
Yes Ma’am. I have never had that pleasure but I have heard tell everything taste better when someone else is paying for it.
Ma’am what would you like?
No Ma’am we don’t have any Almas Caviar.
Matsutake mushrooms. I have mushrooms but I only have some Piggly Wiggly cans that I picked up in at a fire sale.
Melons. Yes Ma’am we have the finest melons on the Island. Yubari melons. Well, these melons come from Cletus and Floyd Haltiwanger. Ma’am I’m sure they are just as good, if not better than Mr. Yubari’s melons.
Say than again Ma’am. Italian White Alba Truffles. Ma’am I ain’t never heard of a truffle and the only thing I have Italian is some hair wax.
Steaks. Oh yes Ma’am. I have some cube steak. Ma’am, slow down. Kobe beef. Well no, ain’t never heard of the Kobe’s. You don’t say. They do that to cows. Ma’am I have been married for 53 years and I have had a lot of beer but noboby has ever massaged me by hand. Ma’am are you sure you are talking about cows?
Ok Ma’am last item. A bottle of 1811 Chateau d’Yquem. No Ma’am. had a few bottles last week but I know for sure I am out of that year.
Alright Ma’am this is what I am going to send over,
4 cans of Spam
1 can, no make that 2 cans of Piggly Wiggly mushrooms
2 Haltiwanger watermelons
4 bags of Cheetos
4 lbs. of cube steak
2 bottles of Ripple
Ma’am I am truly sorry that I didn’t have everything you wanted but I will send Edna over with your order as soon as she gets out the bathroom and airs up her bicycle.
By bogart September 10, 2011 at 6:54 pm
RedTick….Thanks for the correction but I was referring to Alabaster’s sock puppets,her\his spelling.It was just an observation,know what I mean.
By eggaday September 10, 2011 at 8:59 pm
jim lewis, you are priceless Sir!
By Kim September 11, 2011 at 9:13 am
Kiawah Island… ah yes.
Private resort community.
Private security gate at the entrance.
Non-residents (ordinary citizens) cannot enter without a “invitation day pass” phoned in by a “property owner.”
However, the following ARE allowed in under a “special pass”:
– landscaping workers
– hotel employees
– house-cleaning employees
– catering people
– other minimum-wage people
… the common folk the Governor drives past en route to the feast of millionaires.
By David September 12, 2011 at 9:08 am
Just moved here. Is this as good as it gets in this state. No doubt Haleys made maybe a few errors in judgement, but is this hounding really about all that or is it a politically motivated stone throwing? There are people without jobs who are pouring it on here and I am sympathetic to that, but do you think strapping your governor to a gurney is going to make it better. Sounds like a state that needs to grow up.This is more attention than the President gets for all the Motown parties he’s thrown.
By Huhhh??? September 12, 2011 at 9:17 am
Did Ray Chandler fly them down or the Florida Indian for this overnight quikki of a trip?
David, since you just moved here, is your name also Christian Soura or are you some of Trikki’s other carpetbagging staff?
By Rascal September 12, 2011 at 9:45 am
Coconut Nikki, Queen of Mubai deserves the very, very, best. She is God.