S.C. Rep Thad Viers (R-Horry) – a self-styled “conservative Republican” who is running for South Carolina seventh congressional district – was arrested Friday on first degree harassment charges.
According to a police report obtained by WMBF TV (NBC – Myrtle Beach, S.C.), Viers continued to harass the woman even after she asked him to stop – and after he was asked to stop by an officer of the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
“The 28-year-old ex-girlfriend of Viers told police she broke off her relationship with him in June or July of 2011, but he continued to call, text, email and show up at her home and work,” WMBF reported. “She said she had asked Viers multiple times to stop and has contacted Myrtle Beach Police in the past, but was reluctant to do anything because she did not want to hurt Viers reputation or career if the information were to be made public.”
Viers – whose candidacy was enthusiastically supported by S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley – issued a statement shortly after the news of his arrest broke.
“As of today, I am withdrawing from the race for South Carolina’s new 7th Congressional District due to personal reasons, and I will not be a candidate for any office in 2012,” Viers said. “While I had hoped to join South Carolina’s conservative congressional delegation in fighting back against Washington’s out-of-control spending spree, now is not the time. Instead, I will focus on building my law practice and advocating free market principles here in Horry County.”
His ex-girlfiend, Candace Bessinger, is the granddaughter of South Carolina Barbecue legend Maurice Bessinger, whose Confederate sympathies have frequently landed the Palmetto State in the national news.
Given the 33-year-old’s proximity to Haley (and his lengthy history of questionable behavior), Viers’ arrest immediately prompted a response from one of the Democratic Party’s firebrands.
“Thad got it backwards, ordinarily you get elected to Congress and then you go to jail,” said S.C. Rep. Boyd Brown. “Nikki Haley’s choice for the seventh congressional seat is sitting in jail – (and) I guess the only question now is how long until she joins him. Maybe he’ll even pick out a nice orange jumpsuit for her.”
Issues regarding Viers maturity are nothing new. Three months ago, he was part of an incident at a legislative conference in which he allegedly erupted into a “profane outburst” after a woman poured a drink on his head.
More seriously, in June 2007 Viers pleaded no contest (and was fined $500) for threatening the life of his estranged wife’s lover. The audio recordings from that case are said to include some pretty violent language – including a reported reference to necrophiliac skullf*cking – and we’re told that the public is likely to hear those recordings in the unlikely event Viers’ candidacy gains any real traction.
Viers’ attorney – S.C. Rep. Todd Rutherford – defended his clients’ actions at the time, famously stating that he was “under the influence of love” at the time.
In addition to his drunken tirades, multiple lawmakers and lobbyists told FITS last summer that an inebriated Viers had a one-night stand with Haley at a 2006 American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conference in San Francisco. Viers threatened to sue us if we repeated those allegations, but he never followed through on that threat despite multiple subsequent references.
UPDATE: Courtesy of the Myrtle Beach Detention Center, here is Viers’ mug shot …
UPDATE II: Viers has withdrawn from the race.
***
By Big T January 6, 2012 at 3:06 pm
I’m sure this woman was paid off by Dick Harpootlian to shame Mr. Viers into dropping out of the race for Congress. They Democrats will resort to any type of crooked trick to ensure that they get their treasured “Socialist Seventh” District.
By Sailor January 6, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Really Big T(urd), we all know you’re not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but even you ought to be able to recognize that all you have to do is sit back and watch this guy self-destruct.
By mohanna January 6, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Shut The Fuck Up, As Usual You’re Making A Fool Of Yourself.
By Cid January 6, 2012 at 4:15 pm
How much you reckon Harpootlian paid the slut “t?”
By Nolff January 6, 2012 at 4:44 pm
..and 9/11 was an inside job. right.
By Smirks January 6, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Big T, if there were more people like you, I’d start a tin foil hat business.
By MortyWadsworth January 6, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Big T: STFU and go back to Ron Paul HQ. Thaddeus needs no help form anyone in making a tee-total fool of himself. Glad to see that Citadel discipline stuck with him. What a crock…
By ? January 6, 2012 at 7:26 pm
Actually Mortimer, Big T dislikes Ron Paul’s policies, specifically foreign policy.
He was for Perry, Cain, Bachmann, & Newt at one time or another. I’ve never really heard him cheer for Willard though.
Maybe you should recommend he “goes to Santorum HQ” instead. Although in a few weeks I’m sure he’ll be done too.
Poor T is running out of candidates…maybe eventually he’ll gravitate to Romney, or *gasp*, Paul.
By Swingline January 6, 2012 at 3:11 pm
You should have run with his mug shot. What a douche.
By south mauldin January 6, 2012 at 3:14 pm
What an asshole.
Oh, I was referring to Big T. Viers is a smug little prick, too.
By cash January 6, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Thad should admit himself to Three Rivers. They may be asble to help him with agression issues. They are also supposed to help in the healing process of pathological lying disorders.
By Tiger January 6, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Wonder if Romney slept with Haley.
By mohanna January 6, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Probably not, Romney would consider Haley beneath him. LOL play on words.
By Alphonse January 6, 2012 at 3:17 pm
So what you’re saying is that he’s single again. Get ready ladies!
By Tiger January 6, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Maybe Mitt, Ann, Thad, and Nikki had a four way.
By cash January 6, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Wonder if they did a cavity search. That could explain the smile.
By ? January 6, 2012 at 7:16 pm
lol…i was thinking similar things. I just thought he was happy over the possibility of anal intrusion by a fellow inmate.
By Black Big T January 6, 2012 at 3:32 pm
If Big T were black and knew better than to be a blind, partisan fool and was plugged in like me he would have heard the audiotape from the first incident and he wouldn’t be defending this clown.
Not only did he threaten his ex-wife’s boyfriend but he also went Mel Gibson, using ugly racist language to make his point.
He also seems to be obsessed with male genitalia, which he talks about at length.
He has no business in public life. Those who defend him enable him.
That is all.
By Sarah Failin January 9, 2012 at 11:14 am
Black BigT would whoop BigT’s ass.
By Andy January 6, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Viers has just a few minutes ago announced that not only is he withdrawing from the 7th district contest but is dropping out of politics altogether. It’s finally a beautiful day in South Carolina.
By cash January 6, 2012 at 3:37 pm
At least he doesn’t have to worry about running for office. He’s done. Maybe it was the Haley endorsement curse.
By Grand Strand conservative January 6, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Want to bet someone gets skullf%&%ed tonight at J. Ruben Long detention facility?
By funny January 6, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Hilarious! I sure hope so! I know Thad well. I grew up in the MB area and he is an asshole down to the letter!
By larry mote January 6, 2012 at 4:04 pm
who let this chimp out of his trailer park?
By BLBARBOB January 6, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Last time I saw Candace she was working for Robert Kahaly.
Truth be told, she is fair to behold and comely.
By Fish January 6, 2012 at 7:13 pm
So is Kahaly, w/ his pasty white thighs … mmmm Rooooobbbbb
said like Homer)
By vicupstate January 6, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Considering that the ‘new’ 7th is basically the ‘old’ 6th district, Viers would be a good choice for John Jenrette’s old seat. He could even make love on the Capitol steps with Nikki, a la John & Rita.
By Big Apple January 6, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Boyd Brown doesnt need to leture anyone about appropriate behavior. Brown will now inherit the “Flounder” tag in the House!
By Crooner January 6, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Any man who doesn’t take “no” for an answer is no man. Cussin’ when you get a drink poured on your head I understand.
By bustelo January 6, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Isn’t this the guy who screwed Haley in the hotel in Las Vegas?
By Larry Merchant January 6, 2012 at 4:49 pm
He sounds a little like Will. Pussy will drive you crazy.
Thad, stick to less dangerous vices like alcohol and Bar B Q.
By baker January 6, 2012 at 4:54 pm
What’s with all these self-style free market libertarianish people?
An interesting bunch.
By baker January 6, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Oh, and “Big T” is a parody poster, right?
By Andy January 6, 2012 at 5:18 pm
No, he’s real, which is why we should all be very afraid.
By ? January 6, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Maybe he was referring to “Big Black T”.
I don’t know why anyone that has ever frequented this site would ever be surprised of anything being belched out of Big T’s brain.
By Mike at the Beach January 6, 2012 at 8:09 pm
I used to think Big T had to be a creation of someone’s not-so-fertile imagination, but I am beginning to think he’s an actual dude, which makes him much less entertaining…
By anon January 6, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Ole Boyd better be careful; I would imagine there are some folks that will be targeting his smart ass next. Thad was an embarrassment, but Boyd is quickly catching up.
By dwb619 January 6, 2012 at 5:16 pm
OH! The FAMILY VALUES party(GOP) and the TEA Party.
I LUV IT!
You betcha!
Hows that TEA Party thang workin’ for ya now?
By darksied calling January 6, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Somewhere SC6 Chairman Grimey is laughing his ass off right now. I havejust one question? What’s the next shoe to drop in SC7?
By Mr. Dixie January 6, 2012 at 5:45 pm
In that picture he resembles that guy that played in the movie Bonnie and Clyde, the guy that drove the getaway car. I think they called him CJ Moss.
By Legal Alien January 6, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Will Folks, did you grin like an idiot in your mug shot?
You and Thad need to bump mugs in a contest. Let the readers decide whose mug drips with the least douche.
By BradWarthenSucks January 6, 2012 at 5:55 pm
What kind of fucked up parent names their kid “Thad”?
By hhuuhh?? January 6, 2012 at 6:06 pm
What is wrong with these people with such fouled up personal lives, that they cling so deperately to public life?
He should have quit the first time his love life made the papers.
By Ken E. January 6, 2012 at 6:52 pm
It’s a great day in South Carolina!
By Observer January 6, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Here’s the million dollar question… how will Thad be remembered for his service in the House?
By Todd January 6, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Thad’s been pimpin since pimpin been pimpin.
By tomstickler January 6, 2012 at 7:21 pm
I guess I’ll shit-can the file on Viers I was amassing for oppo research.
By can't believe January 6, 2012 at 8:11 pm
I can’t believe he is smiling in his mugshot. What an ugly mug he has!
By Mike at the Beach January 6, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Maybe Mande will run for his House seat instead now. I mean, Viers won it at some point, so apparently anyone can…
By diefip January 6, 2012 at 8:38 pm
I agree. I still thought it was a free country and just because some confused wishy washy broad that said come here then go away wants to say she was harassed! I thought a restraining order was required first – you know by a judge. My ex harasses me all the time. Oh but I forgot women get preferential treatment. Men are guilty until found innocent. The only thing Thad is guilty of of is dating a blond that can’t make up her mind!
By mohanna January 7, 2012 at 12:57 am
No, men are just stupid. Ask anyone.
By Boris January 6, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Does this mean Horry county politics is now corruption free?
By TontoBubbaGoldstein @ Ronulan HQ January 6, 2012 at 9:49 pm
I, and I think I speak for all other Ron Paul supporters, do not take credit for Big T.
By Petigru January 6, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Thug Viers is so crazy and mean that most sensible people in Horry simply stay out of his way.
By Pinko January 7, 2012 at 6:42 am
Stephanie, I mean Darkside, don’t you have better things to do than hack people down to help out your district chair candidate? Like actually sell some real estate or hump that blogger dickhead again?
By Lance Riprock January 7, 2012 at 7:41 am
Let’s review. Folks, Merchant, and Viers. It would appear that the Slut-guv isn’t into looks. These guys must have some tantalizing, irresistable line of bullshit.
By Joe January 7, 2012 at 8:41 am
Rep. Thad Viers (R-Horny)
FIFY
By Indy January 7, 2012 at 8:50 am
When’s the movie due out? Do they have time to add this scene. LOL at the idiot!
By MortyWadsworth January 7, 2012 at 9:12 am
Glad to see TT’s now going to focus on his law practice…I wouldn’t hire that goober to do the closing on a lemonade stand.
By R. Howard Bond, II (R-SC) January 7, 2012 at 9:19 am
Thad seek 1st the Kingdom of God with your WHOLE heart and the rest will be given unto you. God will give you the knowledge you need about how Friendships work so you won’t be alone. Been there, done this. Return my call. I am reaching out again to my Friend=Thad who I will stand by because it’s no fun being misunderstood. Politics is second to Friendships. Your Friend=Howard
By cash January 7, 2012 at 9:48 am
Off subject, but interesting non the less. http://archivenews.com/archives/ic/2006/3/1/130835.shtml
By STFU January 7, 2012 at 10:26 am
You simply can not make this shit up fast enough to keep pace with reality.
By Working class man January 7, 2012 at 11:27 am
I think Bad Thad should hire the political consulting firm New Visions for a new tomorrow headed by the ultra socialist Jamie Sanderson, Jr. We all have seen the success by Jamie. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
By Mike at the Beach January 7, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Who has that Sanderson nitwit put in office?!
By Oh No January 7, 2012 at 11:47 am
Yes, pussy will drive you crazy but its always fun. Is Thad one of the legislators who like to party who enjoys group parties and is rumored to go both ways? SC State House is the best frat in town.
By The Nostradumbass January 7, 2012 at 1:10 pm
I think the story should really read like this:
S.C. Rep Thad Viers (R-Horny) – a self-styled…
By SC Is Still Fucked Up January 7, 2012 at 2:06 pm
The laws in South Carolina are for the women. Don’t you people know that?
Why even a SC State Magistrate judge even once said that before a dozen and a half people in the courtroom. He is now a probate judge in Charleston. And he still has no formal legal education. He has never attended law school. And this is a sitting judge who doesn’t understand Constitutional and Civil Rights law.
Its easy to have someone arrested. People can easily make shit up to have someone arrested. File a complaint, go to a state magistrate .. done.
By Mike at the Beach January 7, 2012 at 2:12 pm
You’ll get no argument from me on your judge comments (especially magistrates), but it’s just not possible that you doubt for an instant that Viers (with his absolutely bizarre behavioral history) isn’t good for this thing. Really?!
By ? January 7, 2012 at 2:22 pm
I agree 100% with you, some of the Magistrate’s barely have reading comprehension let alone legal backgrounds…
Hell, many of those that are trained lawyers at the higher ranks are still boobs.
The “profession” of lawyering is really a joke for the most part. With the system of courts we have today “law” is really no longer the issue in most cases, especially in the civil arena…where money and connections constitute the “winner”…whatever that is after legal fees are collected.
I wouldn’t think of taking anyone to court for amounts between 20 to 50k…the time/money spent will never be worth it.
If it’s that range I might haul them into small claims court and represent myself seeking maximum judgement of $7500…but that’s it.
By Clayton January 7, 2012 at 9:59 pm
I agree, ?. And on appeals, it’s all on who can get to Toal.
By js January 7, 2012 at 11:41 pm
who else is running and who is in the lead?