Thad Viers' Saga: The Ball Gowns

LAWMAKER SHELLED OUT THOUSANDS ON DRESSES

S.C. Rep. Thad Viers – the fifth-term GOP lawmaker whose harassment arrest ended a U.S. congressional campaign (but kicked off an immensely enjoyable Palmetto political soap opera) – has said that he will not seek any public office in 2012.

But will he be able to hold onto his current office until his term expires in 2013?

If Viers is indicted on harassment charges, he would be temporarily suspended from the S.C. House of Representatives. If he’s convicted, he would be removed from office.

Viers is accused of harassing his ex-girlfriend Candace Bessinger, the granddaughter of barbecue baron Maurice Bessinger. Viers invested heavily in his relationship with Bessinger, and we’re not just referring to the $6,000 breast implants he purchased for her in 2009.

Sources tell FITS that Viers also purchased nearly $3,000 worth of ball gowns for Bessinger during the course of their relationship, which began in 2007.

There are also allegations that she obtained a loan through Viers’ connections with an area bank – one of several financial entanglements that we’re delving into.

While we continue to peel back the layers of this saga, here’s another email we’ve obtained in which Viers allegedly harasses Bessinger. We’re especially alarmed by his reference to “cuddling and holding without sex.”

Check it out …

From: Thad Viers
To: Candace Bessinger
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 10:36 AM
Subject: Little things count

Candace,

For a long a time I always thought the big things counted in our relationship: the dresses, trips, dinners, money,gifts etc—but I was terribly wrong. I thought those were enough to show my love to you.

I missed the whole concept of what counted. You see as a man who grew up in a trailer park that paid for his own way through college I never felt worthy of love;especially not yours. I felt very insignificant in your presence. So, for me the greater and greater successes I achieved the more worthy of your love I was able to receive. Its crazy-but that was my warped thinking.

The problem is I failed to realize-my greatest success in life was your love.

What counts more than anything-is the time and energy I devote to you; not just that, but the personal energy, effort, and attention to show you the love which your heart deserves-the little things like:

1. Not watching tv when your’re talking
2. Showing you affection everyday
3. Rubbing your back, neck, or bad foot
4. Treating you as an equal
5. Listening about your work day
6.Saying and showing my love everydy
7. Making you the #1 priority
8. Talking with you about my problems
9. Sending you flowers for no reason
10. Let u do my laundry anyway u want
11. Taking out the trash
12. Spening more quality time with you
13. Making you feel important
14. Bringing u water before bed
15. Holding you tight
16. Cuddling and holding without sex
17.Calling u for no reason
18. Turning off tv when we talk
19. Letting u talk without cutting u off

And so much more…

I love you so much. I have been doing a lot of self reflecting about our relationship. I know the many mistakes I made. I wish I could change the past;I can’t. All I know is I can change the future and hope and pray that I am given the chance.

I pray everyday for you and us that I have a chance to prove that I can right the wrong I have done in our relationship and give you the Caring, Understanding, Respect, Devotion, Validation, and Reassurance to you and meet your love needs as they deserve.

I love and care for you very much.

Always devoted to you,

Thad

FITS has reached out to both Viers and Bessinger in an effort to get their views on this unfolding drama. Obviously Bessinger was reluctant to move forward with her compliant against Viers, although that doesn’t necessarily mean she didn’t have legitimate grounds to do so.

So far, neither has been willing to comment.

Viers’ candidacy for the newly-drawn seventh congressional district was endorsed by S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley last August. It’s unknown who Haley will support now that Viers is out of the race.