Palmetto political operatives working on behalf of S.C. Lt. Governor Ken Ard (RINO-Pamplico) illegally routed cash to “several” individuals in exchange for their political contributions, sources tell FITS.
According to the sources, the “cash for contributions” plan was devised in early 2009 by S.C. political consultant Robert Cahaly – an advisor to Ard (and S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley). A notoriously unethical advisor, Cahaly was indicted last November for illegal campaign activity.
At least one of Cahaly’s employees was said to have been directly involved in transferring the cash – which our sources say came from Ard’s vast “personal wealth.” The purpose of the alleged scheme? To fool prospective donors into thinking that Ard’s campaign was enjoying legitimate fundraising momentum as opposed to relying on loans from the candidate to boost its numbers.
An attorney for Ard was not immediately available for comment regarding the allegations.
Ard is already facing a grand jury investigation into his illegal use of campaign funds – and the lies he told ethics investigators in an attempt to cover up these violations.
S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson referred Ard’s case to the grand jury two months ago after an ethics report revealed that he spent tens of thousands of dollars in campaign cash on personal expenses – including football tickets, iPods, a Playstation, a flat-screen TV and women’s clothing – and then lied about those expenses on his state ethics forms.
According to the ethics report, Ard’s illegal use of campaign funds for personal purposes was much more flagrant than originally suspected. Also, the report revealed that Ard repeatedly provided false information to investigators – fabricating an official “economic development” pretense for a family vacation to Washington, D.C. and concocting a story about buying his wife Tammy an inaugural gown as an excuse for some of the personal clothing expenses.
In an effort to make their case against Ard, Wilson’s investigators have requested a tape recording from The (Columbia, S.C.) Free Times – the news outlet which first broke the news of Ard’s campaign issues back in January. In addition to containing Ard’s admission that he was trying to recoup a vast amount of his “personal wealth” via these improper expenses, the recording (click here to listen) includes numerous instances in which Ard denies using campaign cash on personal expenses.
It’s not immediately clear whether these new allegations are a part of the grand jury investigation into Ard, although sources tell FITS that agents with the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) have been investigating the donations and interviewing numerous witnesses in Florence County.
Ard isn’t the only South Carolina “Republican” battling campaign finance issues. Newly elected S.C. Ways and Means Chairman Brian White (RINO-Anderson) was recently busted using campaign cash on personal expenses – although unlike Ard any investigation into his activities would have to originate in the S.C. House. Meanwhile S.C. Sen. Jake Knotts recently received a slap on the wrist from his buddies in the “Republican-controlled” South Carolina Senate for similar violations.
Finally, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is still refusing to provide required occupational data for the vast majority of her campaign contributors – another example of her dubious commitment to transparency in government.
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By BigT September 15, 2011 at 11:11 am
Is anybody besides FITS going to report on this?
I appreciate the persistence. But this Blog is pretty much a covey of refugees from The State newspaper, some degenerates and a bunch of liberals who like the sweet nothings Harpo tells you to say.
Until we can hear something more than SOURCES TELL FITS…it’s kinda like a site for bored kids (I’m ashamed to admit, because I visit.)
My hope that this state could produce some responsible and legitimate alternative media is fading fast.
Until real (and big boy) media addresses this…It’s not a story..
Thanks for Nothing, FITS..
By Uniform September 15, 2011 at 11:14 am
Nikki, tell us about the money Cahaly has you hiding under your bed?
By Boz Martin September 15, 2011 at 11:19 am
Big T, I thought you “real conservatives” in the GOP all believed that the media is controlled entirely by “liberals”.
Which is it? Are they “big boys” or whiney pablum-puking red diaper doper baby libs?
Can’t have it both ways, though you keep trying.
By BigT September 15, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Just because the media is infested w/ liberals does not mean it is not legitimate. It’s just dis-honest, or corrupt. I think it is (has been) VERY effective. How do you think we got your Failure-in-Chief in the WH…
The establishment can report this Ard story and still be liberal.
Don’t let your desire to attack me and shill for FITS, make you sure look simple-minded.
By eggaday September 15, 2011 at 12:41 pm
Ard’s done nothing that most of the elected elite haven’t done. For some reason, he got caught…. I’d like to know the reason.
By Boz Martin September 15, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Big T — again, you’re trying to have something two ways. Two ways that are opposite. Are they legit, or are they dishonest and corrupt?
And nice try in seeking to cast me as an ObamaPod. I’m far from that. I did not support or vote for him. As I’ve said before, on the things that really matter, I’m more conservative than you.
By WTF? September 15, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Why is this guy still holding a public office?
It must be because so many other legislators are guilty of the same thing that they can not afford to throw stones.
Repulsive.
Keep hounding him please.
By Aristofannies September 15, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Mr T:
Media is plural. Knuckle-head.
By Staffer September 15, 2011 at 1:56 pm
He is still in office because McConnell doesn’t want his job.
By Cid September 15, 2011 at 2:32 pm
The above comment by staffer says it all
As I commented yesterday Wilson could have has Ard indicted months ago
This is all about internal Republican politics
McConnell doesn’t want to be LG but doesn’t want to lose his powerful perch in the Senate
True he can vacate the PPT position and let someone else become LG
But he can’t guarantee that he can go back being PPT when the smoke clears
That’s what all this is about really
By crackahasscrackah September 15, 2011 at 4:50 pm
@ Eggaday:
Ard got caught because he has a head full of rocks! I agree that he is no more crooked than the average SC politician – He is just far, far dumber (which is saying something).
By BigT September 15, 2011 at 7:44 pm
If this fizzles, it’s just another FITS story that is fed w/ a bunch of un-named sources, and an example of irresponsible, very sloppy “journalism.”
I believe in the possibilities of this type of media. But w/ just about everyday, FITS seems to become more a BASH site against Republicans and Conservatives, that really presents very little, besides low-life gossip.
Not saying there is not a place for this kinda of site. I think the founder has worked hard to get it to a level, that it will not maintain (or at least w/ any value.)
I see more ads (and impressive) on here, but I just find it hard to believe that the demographic that likes this kind of stuff is a very desirable market.
By Boz Martin September 15, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Big T, it’s been obvious that Ard was a criminal for a long time. I got a whiff of his stank early on, when he was running. Got a hint from a conversation with a local political type, Mary Henry, that he was connected to Brant Branham, and that she had to “protect” him when some news broke about him and a quid-quo-pro “smoking gun” with MBACC envelope disbursements to Surfside Beach City Council members.
Not just patting myself on the back for that, I’m making the point that he’s been associated publicly with criminals for quite a while now. And he clearly is one himself.
So now are you holding Ard forth as some kind of a paragon of conservative Republican virtue? Please! You remind me of some idiot friend of Lin Bennett that used to give me crap on her Facebook comment threads, who was supposed to be a conservative big shot in Charleston county. Like him (and her, truth be told) you will circle the wagons around any SC Republican that is accused of corruption, until the time comes for you to throw them under the bus because you have no choice. And until that time, you accuse anyone who calls them out of being “a liberal”, spouting all kinds of sanctimonious drivvel aimed at Sic, me, and anyone else who goes after them and stays after them. Lin said one time “When Republicans cheat we turn them out.” BULLSHIT! You PROTECT THEM, as long as you possibly can.
People like y’all are what is wrong with the GOP in this state, and thus you are what is wrong with politics in this state, since the most corrupt elements of the state GOP (and some equally corrupt Dems) run the show.
By Oh Brother! September 16, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Boz Martin – excellent remarks. Big T is still scratching his head trying to figure out how he can respond to you. But I have faith in Big T. He will invoke the words “Obama”, “liberals” and/or “Democrats” to come up with a valiant (even though staggeringly stupid) response.
Pingback: South Carolina’s Lt Gov Ken Ard Indictied
By Joe Dombrowski March 17, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Many politicians who run and are elected know the ins and outs of state and federal election and campaign laws. Most fully understand the black and white nature of these laws. Ard, flagrantly abused these laws and probably would have gotten slapped on the wrist had he not lied to cover up his wrongdoing. The lie and his smug attitude did him in. Now I sure bet Andre Bauer wished he never made those comments about poor folks, wild animals and feeding them.