SC

SC Legislators “Late Night Taxi Service”

The arrest of S.C. Rep. Ted Vick (D-Chesterfield) on drunk driving charges – his second driving under the influence (DUI) charge  in less than a year – is big news in the Palmetto State. Potentially bigger news, though? The story behind a remark that Vick casually made to the officers who arrested…

The arrest of S.C. Rep. Ted Vick (D-Chesterfield) on drunk driving charges – his second driving under the influence (DUI) charge  in less than a year – is big news in the Palmetto State. Potentially bigger news, though? The story behind a remark that Vick casually made to the officers who arrested him on the grounds of the S.C. State House last week.

“Mr. Vick was also asked if he would normally drive in his current state, ” the incident report from Vick’s arrest notes.

His response?

“No, I have drivers.”

Hmmmmm …

That’s an interesting comment when you stop and think about it, isn’t it? Like most ethically challenged South Carolina lawmakers, Vick is doing a lot better for himself than the poor saps he represents. But is he wealthy enough to have a team of chauffeurs carting him to and fro every time he gets hammered?

No …

So … what exactly did Vick mean when he said “I have drivers?” To whom was he referring?

According to our sources, Vick was likely referencing the S.C. House Sergeant at Arms’ office – which is responsible for providing security to members of the House when they come to Columbia, S.C. on legislative business. But “security” apparently isn’t the only taxpayer funded service the Sergeant at Arms’ office provides.

The office also runs “a late night taxi service for drunk lawmakers and their mistresses,” one lawmaker explained to FITS, adding that lobbyists and other special interests also routinely get taken along for rides.

Multiple lawmakers confirmed to FITS that the Sergeant at Arms’ office maintains a fleet of government funded vehicles which ferry lawmakers – mostly Democrats like Vick and S.C. Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) – to and from various special interest receptions and downtown Columbia, S.C. bars.

“They go wherever the members tell them to go,” another lawmaker said.

The exact number of vehicles assigned to this taxpayer-funded taxi service (or the cost billed to taxpayers for its provision) is not known, but one lawmaker familiar with the operation tells FITS the House fleet consists of “several (Ford) Crown Vics and two (Chevy) Tahoes.” A similar fleet is maintained for use by members of the South Carolina Senate.

Crazy huh?

FITS is preparing freedom of information act (FOIA) requests for both the S.C. House and Senate Sergeants at Arms’ offices in an attempt to determine the extent to which taxpayer funded resources are being used to cart drunk lawmakers around the State Capitol. More importantly, we’re also seeking trip logs and other information to determine which lawmakers are abusing this service.

Stay tuned …

***

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76 comments

Cicero May 18, 2013 at 5:03 pm

This, if true, is utterly shameful. But is anyone surprised? Let’s hope the info to be FOIAed won’t go the way of the Rose Law Firm’s bills.

Reply
Cicero May 18, 2013 at 5:03 pm

This, if true, is utterly shameful. But is anyone surprised? Let’s hope the info to be FOIAed won’t go the way of the Rose Law Firm’s bills.

Reply
King-Tut May 18, 2013 at 5:22 pm

Wasting tax payers money supporting these security guards at the statehouse. As if they dont have enough security guards with BPS. I would love to know how big their budget is. Glorified mall cops…..nothing more.

Reply
gonzo1 May 18, 2013 at 6:32 pm

Funny King-Tut

I have worked with these guys several times and found them to be true pros. Your anger makes you seem like a mall cop wash-out. I can only imagine the shit those guys have to put up with dealing with those crooks on a day to day basis….

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King-Tut May 18, 2013 at 9:59 pm

Gonzo….lol your funny! No anger my friend, just calling it like it is.

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King-Tut May 18, 2013 at 5:22 pm

Wasting tax payers money supporting these security guards at the statehouse. As if they dont have enough security guards with BPS. I would love to know how big their budget is. Glorified mall cops…..nothing more.

Reply
gonzo1 May 18, 2013 at 6:32 pm

Funny King-Tut

I have worked with these guys several times and found them to be true pros. Your anger makes you seem like a mall cop wash-out. I can only imagine the shit those guys have to put up with dealing with those crooks on a day to day basis….

Reply
King-Tut May 18, 2013 at 9:59 pm

Gonzo….lol your funny! No anger my friend, just calling it like it is.

Reply
Roger Murdock May 18, 2013 at 6:15 pm

I’ve met Vick’s drivers….they are college kids whom he began paying after last year’s incidence. and FWIW, who cares if they get a ride here and there…they get paid 10k a year to take abuse from sites like this and folks back home.

Reply
T-bone May 18, 2013 at 7:09 pm

Roger,
You are misinformed. The in district expense, the free meals, free medical, glorified retirement (taxpayer subsidized) the graft and contributions, early retirement. I use to work there, they don’t even try to hide it. I’ve actually seen them brag!

Reply
RV May 18, 2013 at 9:24 pm

Glenn McConnell’s got four guys assigned to him for security. And running errands, I suppose, and driving him around, and fetching his boy friends, etc. Costs the state over $500 thousand a year.

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Kronfeld May 19, 2013 at 9:26 pm

Sheez…

Drivers to pick-up-and-deliver on our dime whores and girlfriends for cheating husbands, and queers for homos like McConnell, plus pizza, fried chicken, drinks, football tickets, movies…

If FITS can get data on that, he’s got a real scoop…

Reply
Doris May 20, 2013 at 12:18 pm

And they are hot. Just sayin’

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Giddy Up May 21, 2013 at 10:13 am

Is that boyfriends or boy friends, why boys? Artists, expensive boys.

Reply
Roger Murdock May 18, 2013 at 6:15 pm

I’ve met Vick’s drivers….they are college kids whom he began paying after last year’s incidence. and FWIW, who cares if they get a ride here and there…they get paid 10k a year to take abuse from sites like this and folks back home.

Reply
T-bone May 18, 2013 at 7:09 pm

Roger,
You are misinformed. The in district expense, the free meals, free medical, glorified retirement (taxpayer subsidized) the graft and contributions, early retirement. I use to work there, they don’t even try to hide it. I’ve actually seen them brag!

Reply
RV May 18, 2013 at 9:24 pm

Glenn McConnell’s got four guys assigned to him for security. And running errands, I suppose, and driving him around, and fetching his boy friends, etc. Costs the state over $500 thousand a year.

Reply
Kronfeld May 19, 2013 at 9:26 pm

Sheez…

Drivers to pick-up-and-deliver on our dime whores and girlfriends for cheating husbands, and queers for homos like McConnell, plus pizza, fried chicken, drinks, football tickets, movies…

If FITS can get data on that, he’s got a real scoop…

Reply
Doris May 20, 2013 at 12:18 pm

And they are hot. Just sayin’

Reply
Giddy Up May 21, 2013 at 10:13 am

Is that boyfriends or boy friends, why boys? Artists, expensive boys.

Reply
john q public May 18, 2013 at 6:20 pm

this has been going on for years,i started in law enforcement in 1982,it is a perk that no amount of news coverage will change,i spent alot of late nights driving these turds around!

Reply
Mike Hunt May 18, 2013 at 6:35 pm

Very interesting. And you were employed by?

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john q public May 18, 2013 at 6:20 pm

this has been going on for years,i started in law enforcement in 1982,it is a perk that no amount of news coverage will change,i spent alot of late nights driving these turds around!

Reply
Mike Hunt May 18, 2013 at 6:35 pm

Very interesting. And you were employed by?

Reply
ray banduchi May 18, 2013 at 6:31 pm

Its far better than using the SCHP as they did in the old days. Not to mention the seafood, family members, booze, and girlfriends they ferried up and down the Interstates, and secondary roads like they previously did.

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sweepin May 18, 2013 at 6:37 pm

Finally, someone else over 40 years old weighs in.

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The over 50 crowd May 19, 2013 at 8:52 pm

And tater salad to the beach, cakes to the bereaved, and happy hour served IN the State House.

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ray banduchi May 18, 2013 at 6:31 pm

Its far better than using the SCHP as they did in the old days. Not to mention the seafood, family members, booze, and girlfriends they ferried up and down the Interstates, and secondary roads like they previously did.

Reply
sweepin May 18, 2013 at 6:37 pm

Finally, someone else over 40 years old weighs in.

Reply
The over 50 crowd May 19, 2013 at 8:52 pm

And tater salad to the beach, cakes to the bereaved, and happy hour served IN the State House.

Reply
RHood2 May 18, 2013 at 7:10 pm

Remember that he asked for the Sergeant at arms on the tape.

Reply
A Friend May 19, 2013 at 2:49 am

Yep.

Reply
So May 19, 2013 at 2:30 pm

Interested to see what that FOIA request turns up. If this is true, it’s shameful. Pay for a damn cab yourself.

Reply
RHood2 May 18, 2013 at 7:10 pm

Remember that he asked for the Sergeant at arms on the tape.

Reply
A Friend May 19, 2013 at 2:49 am

Yep.

Reply
So May 19, 2013 at 2:30 pm

Interested to see what that FOIA request turns up. If this is true, it’s shameful. Pay for a damn cab yourself.

Reply
Thomas Jefferson May 18, 2013 at 7:35 pm

Just like Bobby Harrell, Vick has an over inflated narcissistic ego.
God damn them all.

Reply
You know me May 20, 2013 at 9:42 am

Bobby and the whitney and who else?

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Thomas Jefferson May 18, 2013 at 7:35 pm

Just like Bobby Harrell, Vick has an over inflated narcissistic ego.
God damn them all.

Reply
You know me May 20, 2013 at 9:42 am

Bobby and the whitney and who else?

Reply
Fuckemall May 18, 2013 at 8:19 pm

Where are Fanny Foxe and Wilbur Mills (late D-AR) when we need them?

Instead of the DC pool. Vick and Honeybee (whomever she may be) are welcome to use the 5 Points Fountain or the 2600 Bull St. DHEC mudhole….

Reply
Fuckemall May 18, 2013 at 8:19 pm

Where are Fanny Foxe and Wilbur Mills (late D-AR) when we need them?

Instead of the DC pool. Vick and Honeybee (whomever she may be) are welcome to use the 5 Points Fountain or the 2600 Bull St. DHEC mudhole….

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Jay Ellington May 19, 2013 at 8:06 am

Vick: Hobson?

Hobson: Yes.

Vick: Do you know what I’m going to do?

Hobson: No, I don’t.

Vick: I’m going to take a bath.

Hobson: I’ll alert the media.

Vick: [rises] Do you want to run my bath for me?

Hobson: That’s what I live for.

[Vick exits]

Hobson: Perhaps you would like me to come in there and wash your dick for you, you little shit.

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Glenn May 19, 2013 at 12:26 pm

Washing dick? I’ll help.

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lindsey May 20, 2013 at 9:45 am

Me too.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein May 19, 2013 at 2:40 pm

Maybe FITS should hire Clarence Beeks of Lyndhurst Security to get to the bottom of this sordid mess…

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The Ghost of Fat Greg Dulli May 19, 2013 at 8:06 am

Vick: Hobson?

Hobson: Yes.

Vick: Do you know what I’m going to do?

Hobson: No, I don’t.

Vick: I’m going to take a bath.

Hobson: I’ll alert the media.

Vick: [rises] Do you want to run my bath for me?

Hobson: That’s what I live for.

[Vick exits]

Hobson: Perhaps you would like me to come in there and wash your dick for you, you little shit.

Reply
Glenn May 19, 2013 at 12:26 pm

Washing dick? I’ll help.

Reply
lindsey May 20, 2013 at 9:45 am

Me too.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein May 19, 2013 at 2:40 pm

Maybe FITS should hire Clarence Beeks of Lyndhurst Security to get to the bottom of this sordid mess…

Reply
? May 19, 2013 at 11:13 am

I think it would be fitting to have golden thrones for all those elected for transportation around town, like in the days of the Pharaohs or a la Xerxes in the film 300.

They can be carried by a mix of taxpayers and bureaucrats, but let’s make sure the pol groupies and cartons of booze have to walk/be carried behind their thrones…I don’t want to have to carry that too.

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shifty henry May 19, 2013 at 4:40 pm

they would love it……

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? May 19, 2013 at 11:13 am

I think it would be fitting to have golden thrones for all those elected for transportation around town, like in the days of the Pharaohs or a la Xerxes in the film 300.

They can be carried by a mix of taxpayers and bureaucrats, but let’s make sure the pol groupies and cartons of booze have to walk/be carried behind their thrones…I don’t want to have to carry that too.

Reply
shifty henry May 19, 2013 at 4:40 pm

they would love it……

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia May 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm

This is what I love about Fitsnews! They have the balls to look for and dig, where no other local media outlets would DARE!!!!! Keep digging Sic and let us know what you find. And we wonder why the state budget is frequently so strapped…

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Polyphemos May 20, 2013 at 1:18 am

Fits is great. I love him, even when I disagree or have contrary sources. He’s an honest and smart guy who understands felgecarb when he sees it.. But what I do is a hobby. He actually makes a living at it. And God bless him for it.

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CorruptionInColumbia May 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm

This is what I love about Fitsnews! They have the balls to look for and dig, where no other local media outlets would DARE!!!!! Keep digging Sic and let us know what you find. And we wonder why the state budget is frequently so strapped…

Reply
Slartibartfast May 20, 2013 at 1:18 am

Fits is great. I love him, even when I disagree or have contrary sources. He’s an honest and smart guy who understands felgecarb when he sees it.. But what I do is a hobby. He actually makes a living at it. And God bless him for it.

Reply
HLR May 19, 2013 at 7:07 pm

I can confirm this is a regular occurrence. The Dems seems to use it the most, but the Speaker and his guys are regularly ferried around town by the Sergent of Arms office.

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HLR May 19, 2013 at 7:07 pm

I can confirm this is a regular occurrence. The Dems seems to use it the most, but the Speaker and his guys are regularly ferried around town by the Sergent of Arms office.

Reply
dsmith May 20, 2013 at 5:48 am

Vick’s lawyer has an uphill battle with a jury. Maybe he will use the classic defense…Don’t believe your lying eyes!

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half-vast May 20, 2013 at 8:27 am

Don’t believe his lying lawyer. I want to be on his jury.

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dsmith May 20, 2013 at 5:48 am

Vick’s lawyer has an uphill battle with a jury. Maybe he will use the classic defense…Don’t believe your lying eyes!

Reply
half-vast May 20, 2013 at 8:27 am

Don’t believe his lying lawyer. I want to be on his jury.

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lance riprock May 20, 2013 at 12:39 pm

The current crop of legislators are rank amateurs when it comes to partying. How I long for the times we had at the Townhouse…the blow, the chicks, the single-malt Scotch. Where’s Ron Cobb when you need him?

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shifty henry May 20, 2013 at 1:00 pm

Lee Atwater took some secrets with him to the grave.

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lance riprock May 20, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Naw, man; this was pre-Lee and pretty much all Democrats. Not too many secrets, either. Cobb, who furnished the bribes (ostensibly to legalize parimutuel betting) cut a deal with the prosecutors and rolled on everybody. See Operation Lost Trust.

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Torch May 21, 2013 at 8:21 am

That was before they all change parties and became Republicans. Same bunch.

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lance riprock May 20, 2013 at 12:39 pm

The current crop of legislators are rank amateurs when it comes to partying. How I long for the times we had at the Townhouse…the blow, the chicks, the single-malt Scotch. Where’s Ron Cobb when you need him?

Reply
shifty henry May 20, 2013 at 1:00 pm

Lee Atwater took some secrets with him to the grave.

Reply
lance riprock May 20, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Naw, man; this was pre-Lee and pretty much all Democrats. Not too many secrets, either. Cobb, who furnished the bribes (ostensibly to legalize parimutuel betting) cut a deal with the prosecutors and rolled on everybody. See Operation Lost Trust.

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Torch May 21, 2013 at 8:21 am

That was before they all change parties and became Republicans. Same bunch.

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snarky108 May 20, 2013 at 7:45 pm

And remember that Republican Andre Bauer and his $90,000 security coverage. He always had to use a driver.

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Just Kind and Lovng May 21, 2013 at 10:16 am

Not going down Assembly St. he didn’t.

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snarky108 May 20, 2013 at 7:45 pm

And remember that Republican Andre Bauer and his $90,000 security coverage. He always had to use a driver.

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Just Kind and Lovng May 21, 2013 at 10:16 am

Not going down Assembly St. he didn’t.

Reply

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