SC

David Wilkins Is Still Lobbying

Former S.C. Speaker of the House and U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins remains one of the most revered “Republicans” in the Palmetto State – for reasons that will forever elude us. What did Wilkins accomplish during his 11-year tenure as Speaker? Not much … in fact along with his…

Former S.C. Speaker of the House and U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins remains one of the most revered “Republicans” in the Palmetto State – for reasons that will forever elude us.

What did Wilkins accomplish during his 11-year tenure as Speaker? Not much … in fact along with his successor Bobby Harrell and Senate leaders Hugh Leatherman and Glenn McConnell, he’s among those who bear the most responsibility for South Carolina’s infamous “Lost Decade.”

Wilkins was a big-spending crony capitalist – a political and moral hypocrite who boasted of his “conservatism” as he poured larger and larger sums of taxpayer money into a big, broken and overbearing state government. He also carried on a thinly veiled affair with one of his senior staffers while he championed “family values.”

Great guy, huh?

Anyway, Wilkins was elected by Clemson University to a lifetime seat on its 13-member board of trustees on March 28, 2007. On July 17, 2009, he was unanimously elected to a two year term as chair and was re-elected in 2011. He is currently serving as the board’s chairman – overseeing an entity which is slated to receive $852.9 million in the state budget for the coming fiscal year.

Bear in mind that Clemson’s lifetime trustees are totally unconstitutional – flagrantly violating a constitutional ban on lifetime appointments for “officers of the state.”

Also bear in mind that taxpayers’ massive investment in Clemson has produced nothing but declining achievement and rising tuition.

But violating the lifetime appointment ban isn’t the only law Wilkins is reportedly breaking. According to our sources – including multiple lawmakers who have received direct appeals from their former leader – Wilkins is actively lobbying the S.C. General Assembly on behalf of several taxpayer-funded clients.

Among them? Coastal Carolina University and the S.C. State Ports Authority (SCSPA).

State law – specifically code section 2-17-110 (D) – prohibits members of state boards from lobbying. Meanwhile section 2-17-10 (13) specifically defines a lobbyist as a “person who is employed, appointed, or retained, with or without compensation, by another person to influence by direct communication with public officials or public employees.”

Pretty cut and dried, huh?

This isn’t the first time Wilkins has been accused of illegal lobbying. Back in 2009 we reported on his alleged lobbying efforts on behalf of another government-funded entity – the S.C. Prosecution Coordination Commission.

Wilkins is not registered as a lobbyist. But then again neither is his fellow “life trustee” at Clemson, former Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler. And that’s not stopping Peeler from lobbying on behalf of a client before a Senate committee chaired by his brother, S.C. Senate “Majority” leader Harvey Peeler (RINO-Cherokee).

Shameful … of course this is all par for the course in South Carolina, where such behavior is routinely tolerated by a “Republican” majority busy patting itself on the back for “ethics reform.”

As we’ve stated repeatedly, we believe Clemson (and the rest of the Palmetto State’s bloated, inefficient higher ed system) should be immediately privatized. We also support privatization of the SCSPA. Until that day, however, powerful ex-politicos like Wilkins and Peeler should not be permitted to serve in perpetuity on any state board – especially not when they are breaking the law.

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74 comments

CorruptionInColumbia May 7, 2013 at 9:18 am

Where is Alan Wilson when you need him? Oh, never mind.

Reply
jimlewisowb May 7, 2013 at 9:30 am

Doing what Woodchucks do best,

Chucking wood

Reply
RandoCommando May 7, 2013 at 9:38 am

Why little Alan Wilson is having a fundraiser with Lindsey Graham in Washington, DC of course!

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia May 7, 2013 at 9:18 am

Where is Alan Wilson when you need him? Oh, never mind.

Reply
jimlewisowb May 7, 2013 at 9:30 am

Doing what Woodchucks do best,

Chucking wood

Reply
RandoCommando May 7, 2013 at 9:38 am

Why little Alan Wilson is having a fundraiser with Lindsey Graham in Washington, DC of course!

Reply
Tyrone Land Rover May 7, 2013 at 9:21 am

an old wrinkled bag of fart gas…….

Reply
Chris May 7, 2013 at 10:29 am

Apparently the girls in Canada liked him.

Reply
Tyrone Land Rover May 7, 2013 at 9:21 am

an old wrinkled bag of fart gas…….

Reply
Chris May 7, 2013 at 10:29 am

Apparently the girls in Canada liked him.

Reply
CNSYD May 7, 2013 at 9:26 am

Yawn. Sic Willie brings to mind the old saw, “Save your Confederate money boys, the South is going to rise again”. Sic keeps beating this dead horse fixation of his to no avail. Here we are 124 years later and the Act of Acceptance still stands.

Reply
Are you serious May 7, 2013 at 9:35 am

Now, you’re sure you’re not Bob Peeler? By the way, as such a Clemson supporter – based on all of your comments – how do you feel about your boy Wilkins lobbying on behalf of another school while he’s Chairman of the Clemson BOT? Taters – loyal as hell, unless you pay them not to be!

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CNSYD May 7, 2013 at 10:16 am

Perhaps you were not aware that Wilkins has a real job. He is a partner in Nelson Mullins. As such, he chairs the public policy and international law practice department. Sounds like he is doing what his firm was hired to do.

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Are you serious May 7, 2013 at 10:24 am

Yeah, lobby.

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Capitol Fly May 7, 2013 at 10:16 am

He could not be Bob Peeler. Peeler isn’t smart enough to answer. If you’ve ever been around Peeler, He ain’t too bright, relies on Harvey for everything and Harve is a bit dim himself!

Reply
Squishy123 May 7, 2013 at 9:26 am

Probably just hanging around long enough to put his family name on a dozen or two more buildings. Just following the lead of Jim Clyburn.

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nitrat May 7, 2013 at 10:39 am

No one has their name on more roads or buildings than John Land.

Reply
CNSYD May 7, 2013 at 9:26 am

Yawn. Sic Willie brings to mind the old saw, “Save your Confederate money boys, the South is going to rise again”. Sic keeps beating this dead horse fixation of his to no avail. Here we are 124 years later and the Act of Acceptance still stands.

Reply
Are you serious May 7, 2013 at 9:35 am

Now, you’re sure you’re not Bob Peeler? By the way, as such a Clemson supporter – based on all of your comments – how do you feel about your boy Wilkins lobbying on behalf of another school while he’s Chairman of the Clemson BOT? Taters – loyal as hell, unless you pay them not to be!

Reply
CNSYD May 7, 2013 at 10:16 am

Perhaps you were not aware that Wilkins has a real job. He is a partner in Nelson Mullins. As such, he chairs the public policy and international law practice department. Sounds like he is doing what his firm was hired to do.

Reply
Are you serious May 7, 2013 at 10:24 am

Yeah, lobby.

Reply
Capitol Fly May 7, 2013 at 10:16 am

He could not be Bob Peeler. Peeler isn’t smart enough to answer. If you’ve ever been around Peeler, He ain’t too bright, relies on Harvey for everything and Harve is a bit dim himself!

Reply
Squishy123 May 7, 2013 at 9:26 am

Probably just hanging around long enough to put his family name on a dozen or two more buildings. Just following the lead of Jim Clyburn.

Reply
nitrat May 7, 2013 at 10:39 am

No one has their name on more roads or buildings than John Land.

Reply
jimlewisowb May 7, 2013 at 9:29 am

Shazam,what a novel idea

A cockroach cockroaching other cockroaches to help out more cockroaches to become bigger cockroaches

Reply
Invisible Hired Help May 7, 2013 at 9:29 am

Report David Wilkins, Esquire to the Jean Toal run Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Hahahaha.

Oh, that’s right, he’s a partner at Nelson, Mullins. Absolutely nothing will happen in that investigation. Isn’t that right, Stephen?

Reply
Sure May 7, 2013 at 12:21 pm

That’s exactly right. Now kindly look the other way. Nothing to see here.

Reply
jimlewisowb May 7, 2013 at 9:29 am

Shazam,what a novel idea

A cockroach cockroaching other cockroaches to help out more cockroaches to become bigger cockroaches

Reply
Invisible Hired Help May 7, 2013 at 9:29 am

Report David Wilkins, Esquire to the Jean Toal run Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Hahahaha.

Oh, that’s right, he’s a partner at Nelson, Mullins. Absolutely nothing will happen in that investigation. Isn’t that right, Stephen?

Reply
Sure May 7, 2013 at 12:21 pm

That’s exactly right. Now kindly look the other way. Nothing to see here.

Reply
Billy K Mulligan May 7, 2013 at 9:30 am

Where is the evidence he was “employed, appointed or retained” ? One friend asks him to call someone he knows is hardly evidence of any of those qualifiers. By this standards, Will Folks is a lobbyist. .

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CNSYD May 7, 2013 at 10:17 am

Is your assumption that Will Folks has standards?

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Not too smart May 7, 2013 at 2:47 pm

According to this site he lobbied for Coastal Carolina and the Ports Authority. http://data.influenceexplorer.com/#

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Billy K Mulligan May 7, 2013 at 9:30 am

Where is the evidence he was “employed, appointed or retained” ? One friend asks him to call someone he knows is hardly evidence of any of those qualifiers. By this standards, Will Folks is a lobbyist. .

Reply
CNSYD May 7, 2013 at 10:17 am

Is your assumption that Will Folks has standards?

Reply
Not too smart May 7, 2013 at 2:47 pm

According to this site he lobbied for Coastal Carolina and the Ports Authority. http://data.influenceexplorer.com/#

Reply
southmauldin May 7, 2013 at 9:33 am

This guy is giving Larry Martin a real run for Penishead of the Year.

Reply
southmauldin May 7, 2013 at 9:33 am

This guy is giving Larry Martin a real run for Penishead of the Year.

Reply
Ghost of Lee Atwater May 7, 2013 at 9:40 am

The constant references to the Clemson BOT being “unconstitutional” are growing more tired than the constant pictures of that chubby little Dennis girl from Berkeley County, which is stunning indictment of how desperate Will’s need for new material as it relates to Clemson has become.

How can the same guy that is constantly ranting and raving about the corruption and incompetency of our General Assembly begrudge Clemson’s founders for having the foresight to know that we (Clemson) should not subject the governance of our University to the whims of a ……. wait for it……CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT General Assembly?

I mean for God’s Sake Will, your whole reason for being politically is to trumpet the need for the General Assembly to have LESS POWER, yet, on all things Clemson; you want us to tear down the firewall that protects us from….wait for it……THE GENERAL EFFING ASSEMBLY!!!!

I know your are blinded by your hatred of Clemson, but at least give us a dash of credit for being smart enough (unlike USC, C of C, et. al.) to make the deal we made.

As the kids say these days:, “don’t hate the player, hate the game.”

Reply
Ghost of Lee Atwater May 7, 2013 at 9:40 am

The constant references to the Clemson BOT being “unconstitutional” are growing more tired than the constant pictures of that chubby little Dennis girl from Berkeley County, which is stunning indictment of how desperate Will’s need for new material as it relates to Clemson has become.

How can the same guy that is constantly ranting and raving about the corruption and incompetency of our General Assembly begrudge Clemson’s founders for having the foresight to know that we (Clemson) should not subject the governance of our University to the whims of a ……. wait for it……CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT General Assembly?

I mean for God’s Sake Will, your whole reason for being politically is to trumpet the need for the General Assembly to have LESS POWER, yet, on all things Clemson; you want us to tear down the firewall that protects us from….wait for it……THE GENERAL EFFING ASSEMBLY!!!!

I know your are blinded by your hatred of Clemson, but at least give us a dash of credit for being smart enough (unlike USC, C of C, et. al.) to make the deal we made.

As the kids say these days:, “don’t hate the player, hate the game.”

Reply
? May 7, 2013 at 9:43 am

“Public service” is the gift that keeps on giving for most of these pols.

Even after their “service” they get a lifetime of access to the taxpayer teat and it’s all but impossible to pry most of them off of it.

It’s like a aphrodisiac for them and they have no shame.

They can juggle the meaning of words all day long to skirt around whatever reform, laws, etc. are passed to try to stop it. It’s all legalese bullshit.

His clients are paying for his contacts/access to the pols in the state. If someone wants to pretend that’s not lobbying, they are full of shit.

It just goes to show you most of these characters could never make it in private industry and deep down they know it…so they chase the easy money(which is taxpayer money).

Reply
? May 7, 2013 at 9:43 am

“Public service” is the gift that keeps on giving for most of these pols.

Even after their “service” they get a lifetime of access to the taxpayer teat and it’s all but impossible to pry most of them off of it.

It’s like a aphrodisiac for them and they have no shame.

They can juggle the meaning of words all day long to skirt around whatever reform, laws, etc. are passed to try to stop it. It’s all legalese bullshit.

His clients are paying for his contacts/access to the pols in the state. If someone wants to pretend that’s not lobbying, they are full of shit.

It just goes to show you most of these characters could never make it in private industry and deep down they know it…so they chase the easy money(which is taxpayer money).

Reply
Roxanne May 7, 2013 at 10:12 am

“He also carried on a thinly veiled affair with one of his senior staffers while he championed “family values”.
So what is new?
Bob Peeler is a lobbys and carried on an affair with next door neighbor and campaign worker Donna Gulledge, is also a lifetime trustee at Clemson! Campaigned for Governor on a “Faith, Family and Friends” platform and openly asked people to “Pray for Us”, while carring on multiple affairs!
Eckstrom is the same with his affairs!
Look at the three of these guys, Wilkinson, Peeler and Eckstrom…..It would be difficult to pick one in an ugly contest!
It says a lot about the women involved with married men, ugly married men!

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Roxanne May 7, 2013 at 10:12 am

“He also carried on a thinly veiled affair with one of his senior staffers while he championed “family values”.
So what is new?
Bob Peeler is a lobbys and carried on an affair with next door neighbor and campaign worker Donna Gulledge, is also a lifetime trustee at Clemson! Campaigned for Governor on a “Faith, Family and Friends” platform and openly asked people to “Pray for Us”, while carring on multiple affairs!
Eckstrom is the same with his affairs!
Look at the three of these guys, Wilkinson, Peeler and Eckstrom…..It would be difficult to pick one in an ugly contest!
It says a lot about the women involved with married men, ugly married men!

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Luke@42 May 7, 2013 at 10:17 am

“Profoundly bald.”

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buthole buddy May 7, 2013 at 10:27 am

Even creepier looking than Eckstrom.

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Pricks on Sticks May 7, 2013 at 3:40 pm

Put up pictures of Sanford, Peeler, Eckstrom and Wilkinson. All are skanks. You can look at this bunch and it is obvious what they are.
Wilkinson and Peeler would sell their mother for 10 cents. Sanford and Eckstrom would try to bargin for another penny or two!

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Sam May 7, 2013 at 4:52 pm

Omg, he looks just like Richard.

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Luke@42 May 7, 2013 at 10:17 am

“Profoundly bald.”

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buthole buddy May 7, 2013 at 10:27 am

Even creepier looking than Eckstrom.

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Pricks on Sticks May 7, 2013 at 3:40 pm

Put up pictures of Sanford, Peeler, Eckstrom and Wilkinson. All are skanks. You can look at this bunch and it is obvious what they are.
Wilkinson and Peeler would sell their mother for 10 cents. Sanford and Eckstrom would try to bargin for another penny or two!

Reply
Sam May 7, 2013 at 4:52 pm

Omg, he looks just like Richard.

Reply
Forgive Me Jesus May 7, 2013 at 10:36 am

I know the new troll John Duncan is busy stumping for his boy Sanford, but this guy seems to possess the same great values as his buddy Mark.

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Forgive Me Jesus May 7, 2013 at 10:36 am

I know the new troll John Duncan is busy stumping for his boy Sanford, but this guy seems to possess the same great values as his buddy Mark.

Reply
Bobby May 7, 2013 at 10:41 am

Did Katon Dawson ever win his SC State University post???

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Sarge May 7, 2013 at 12:18 pm

Yep. Good for him – and for SC State. Katon has plenty of his own money and won’t have to rely on kickbacks and theft of Federal Grants. I don’t care what Harpo and the Demo’s say, this is a good thing for SC State in the long run.

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Guero May 7, 2013 at 9:17 pm

Yep, those nigras need the guidance of a Forest Lake Country Club member. A place none of the student body could join….

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Bobby May 7, 2013 at 10:41 am

Did Katon Dawson ever win his SC State University post???

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Sarge May 7, 2013 at 12:18 pm

Yep. Good for him – and for SC State. Katon has plenty of his own money and won’t have to rely on kickbacks and theft of Federal Grants. I don’t care what Harpo and the Demo’s say, this is a good thing for SC State in the long run.

Reply
Guero May 7, 2013 at 9:17 pm

Yep, those nigras need the guidance of a Forest Lake Country Club member. A place none of the student body could join….

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nitrat May 7, 2013 at 10:46 am

Well, if you are so concerned about this lobbying by a board member, I trust you have filed an SC Ethics Commission complaint…which you would not be allowed to discuss. But, you could and should file the complaint. If the evidence is as clear cut as lay out, it should take a minimum of your time, hearing and all. And, what great statewide PR for this site when the finding of SC Ethics violations comes down.

But, let’s talk about “crony capitalism”. I don’t think you people understand what it is…or, you want to deceive people about what it is.

Crony capitalism defines what this site pushes every day, pouring great sums of taxpayer money into the private sector to create cronies for the legislators and a you-scratch-my-back-I’ll-scratch-yours, quid pro quo situation by privatizing one government function after another.

Your sponsors, the Kochs, their bag man Howie Rich and ALEC know this and don’t care because the monies are going into their pockets.

Reply
nitrat May 7, 2013 at 10:46 am

Well, if you are so concerned about this lobbying by a board member, I trust you have filed an SC Ethics Commission complaint…which you would not be allowed to discuss. But, you could and should file the complaint. If the evidence is as clear cut as lay out, it should take a minimum of your time, hearing and all. And, what great statewide PR for this site when the finding of SC Ethics violations comes down.

But, let’s talk about “crony capitalism”. I don’t think you people understand what it is…or, you want to deceive people about what it is.

Crony capitalism defines what this site pushes every day, pouring great sums of taxpayer money into the private sector to create cronies for the legislators and a you-scratch-my-back-I’ll-scratch-yours, quid pro quo situation by privatizing one government function after another.

Your sponsors, the Kochs, their bag man Howie Rich and ALEC know this and don’t care because the monies are going into their pockets.

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Say What? May 7, 2013 at 12:01 pm

Will: Please make sure your readers understand that Clemson does not get $853 million from the State of South Carolina. That figure includes all of their revenue of which over ninety-percent comes from non-state of South Carolina funds. Your consistnet attempts of overstating what SC colleges and universities get from the state is getting pretty old.

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CNSYD May 7, 2013 at 3:03 pm

See my comment about about Folks having standards.

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Say What? May 7, 2013 at 12:01 pm

Will: Please make sure your readers understand that Clemson does not get $853 million from the State of South Carolina. That figure includes all of their revenue of which over ninety-percent comes from non-state of South Carolina funds. Your consistnet attempts of overstating what SC colleges and universities get from the state is getting pretty old.

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CNSYD May 7, 2013 at 3:03 pm

See my comment about about Folks having standards.

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VoiceofReason May 7, 2013 at 4:50 pm

FitsNews: pioneering new lows in journalism…..

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VoiceofReason May 7, 2013 at 4:50 pm

FitsNews: pioneering new lows in journalism…..

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buthole buddy May 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm

Why is David Wilkins the registered agent for Porter Airlines? The co. was incorporated in Canada as a for-profit foreign corp. in 2010, according to SC Secr. of State.

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buthole buddy May 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm

Why is David Wilkins the registered agent for Porter Airlines? The co. was incorporated in Canada as a for-profit foreign corp. in 2010, according to SC Secr. of State.

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Jeffy01 May 7, 2013 at 8:12 pm

So he isn’t lobbying. But he is violating the law…by being a lobbyist 4 years ago? Huh?
Policy Council will be all over this.

Reply
Jeffy01 May 7, 2013 at 8:12 pm

So he isn’t lobbying. But he is violating the law…by being a lobbyist 4 years ago? Huh?
Policy Council will be all over this.

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Manray9 May 8, 2013 at 10:10 am

Sic: Every so often the stars come into alignment and you and I agree! You hit the proverbial nail on the head with “big-spending crony capitalist.” Wilkins is among the worst of the malefactors who perpetuate the political and corporate establishment in this state. Will the People ever wake up?

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Manray9 May 8, 2013 at 10:10 am

Sic: Every so often the stars come into alignment and you and I agree! You hit the proverbial nail on the head with “big-spending crony capitalist.” Wilkins is among the worst of the malefactors who perpetuate the political and corporate establishment in this state. Will the People ever wake up?

Reply

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