SC

Another Nikki Haley Ethics Scandal

S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is embroiled in yet another ethics scandal – one reeking of preferential treatment from an ethics agency whose governing board she can dismiss at any time, for any reason. The “Republican” governor – who has already relied on a political whitewash to resolve one major ethics…

S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is embroiled in yet another ethics scandal – one reeking of preferential treatment from an ethics agency whose governing board she can dismiss at any time, for any reason.

The “Republican” governor – who has already relied on a political whitewash to resolve one major ethics scandal – repeatedly hid, delayed and sought to dismiss serious campaign finance allegations against her. Meanwhile the agency responsible for probing these violations – the S.C. State Ethics Commission (SCSEC) – repeatedly acquiesced to Haley’s demands.

In fact according to an expansive report filed by Adam Beam of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper, the agency’s director sent a message to Haley’s attorneys telling them “we can put this to bed quickly.” The director also repeatedly provided Haley with advice on how she could best resolve the violations in a manner that would prevent anyone from “accusing her of being hypocritical.”

Wow …

Welcome to South Carolina, people.

We’ve been following this story for months, so here’s some background: In April 2011, FITS reported on the fact that Haley failed to provide required occupational data for more than two-thirds of her high-dollar campaign donors – many of whom she appointed to key posts in her administration as well as various state boards and commissions. A year later, we reported that the SCSEC was investigating these violations – specifically whether Haley failed to maintain adequate records and to disclose information required by state law.

“A formal hearing into these allegations has been scheduled for July 18 – although it remains to be seen whether Haley will permit this meeting to be conducted in public,” we wrote at the time.

Well guess what … the SCSEC cancelled the hearing, and launched into what The State is now referring to as months of “secret negotiations” with the governor’s attorneys.

Ah, more “transparency inaction” from Haley.

Why did the governor receive preferential treatment from the SCSEC? That’s easy: As we exclusively reported last month, eight of the nine seats on the commission are either vacant or filled by a member whose term has expired.

“By leaving these seats unfilled, Haley gets to exercise complete control over the existing appointments,” we wrote. “They are serving at her whim, in other words – which is a recipe for all sorts of corruption.”

Clearly …

This latest scandal is one of numerous ethical lapses on Haley’s part since she took office in 2011 on a platform of “transparency” and “accountability.” It also comes as Haley has been chiding lawmakers for their insufficient commitment to her watered-down ethics reform bill.

When Haley unveiled her ethics reform proposals last August, we had to laugh … after all, her plan proposed doing away with many of the loopholes she has habitually exploited over the years in order to maintain and expand her political power.

Haley proposed income disclosure for lawmakers – even though she failed to disclose more than $40,000 she received from a company doing business before the state. She proposed consolidating ethics cases under an independent agency – even though she relied on a corrupt committee of her former peers to evade conviction on a wide range of ethics charges last summer. She pushed for mandatory recusals from office – even though she failed to recuse herself from votes benefiting her secret employer. She demanded reforms to the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) – even though her administration has illegally deleted emails and deliberately withheld public information from reporters. And she asked lawmakers to correct a flawed election law that resulted in hundreds of candidates being booted from the 2012 ballot – even though she co-authored the statute with her longtime ally, S.C. Rep. Nathan Ballentine.

Of course Haley’s personal hypocrisy on this issue is only part of the problem … despite her promises to reform state government, South Carolina remains one of the most corruptsecretive governments in America under her rule.

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

Related posts

SC

Midlands SC Community Mourns Beloved School Official

Will Folks
SC

South Carolina Mayor Dead Following Car Crash

Will Folks
SC

Palmetto Past & Present: How Columbia Became the Confederacy’s Currency Capital

Mark Powell

58 comments

a face in the crowd August 16, 2013 at 10:01 am

A disastrous governor, by any measure.

Reply
You know me August 16, 2013 at 10:09 am

Don’t forget, a disastrous wife, mother, daughter, and Sikh.

Reply
Manray9 August 16, 2013 at 11:52 am

She’s a Methodist. Just ask her. Anybody ever seen her in any Methodist church in Columbia — that is when she wasn’t campaigning?

Reply
You know me August 16, 2013 at 3:32 pm

Oh, yeah, remember she said she had a Christian wedding? Scroll through the pics http://www.demotix.com/photo/500073/relatives-nikki-haley-amritsar

Reply
Jackie Chiles August 16, 2013 at 3:59 pm

Everyone knows Methodists are big on hats in weddings.

a face in the crowd August 16, 2013 at 10:01 am

A disastrous governor, by any measure.

Reply
You know me August 16, 2013 at 10:09 am

Don’t forget, a disastrous wife, mother, daughter, and Sikh.

Reply
Manray9 August 16, 2013 at 11:52 am

She’s a Methodist. Just ask her. Anybody ever seen her in any Methodist church in Columbia — that is when she wasn’t campaigning?

Reply
You know me August 16, 2013 at 3:32 pm

Oh, yeah, remember she said she had a Christian wedding? Scroll through the pics http://www.demotix.com/photo/500073/relatives-nikki-haley-amritsar

Reply
Jackie Chiles August 16, 2013 at 3:59 pm

Everyone knows Methodists are big on hats in weddings.

Marie Harrison August 16, 2013 at 10:03 am

What a pathetically sad little girl. So sad that her parents did not get help for her early on, as they had to know something really was wrong with her.

Reply
Marie Harrison August 16, 2013 at 10:03 am

What a pathetically sad little girl. So sad that her parents did not get help for her early on, as they had to know something really was wrong with her.

Reply
lindsey g August 16, 2013 at 10:05 am

Well she was abused and disqualified, and all that other BS.

Reply
lindsey g August 16, 2013 at 10:05 am

Well she was abused and disqualified, and all that other BS.

Reply
Manray9 August 16, 2013 at 10:44 am

Any bets on her re-election? Corruption and cronyism mean nothing in SC politics — in fact, they constitute “business as usual.” She’s a shoo-in.

Reply
Gillon August 16, 2013 at 11:17 am

“Corruption and cronyism mean nothing in SC politics…” and of course neither does immorality or incompetence. Unfortunately, all that seems to matter when you run for public office in SC is that you identify yourself as a Republican, a “conservative”, an admirer of Ronald Reagan, and a foe of Barack Obama.

Reply
Manray9 August 16, 2013 at 11:38 am

I think “foe” is too mild. “Obama Hater” is more on the mark.

Reply
Manray9 August 16, 2013 at 11:50 am

You can be any flavor of douche bag, but if you have that magical “R” beside your name on the ballot — you’re in!

Reply
Manray9 August 16, 2013 at 10:44 am

Any bets on her re-election? Corruption and cronyism mean nothing in SC politics — in fact, they constitute “business as usual.” She’s a shoo-in.

Reply
Gillon August 16, 2013 at 11:17 am

“Corruption and cronyism mean nothing in SC politics…” and of course neither does immorality or incompetence. Unfortunately, all that seems to matter when you run for public office in SC is that you identify yourself as a Republican, a “conservative”, an admirer of Ronald Reagan, and a foe of Barack Obama.

Reply
Manray9 August 16, 2013 at 11:38 am

I think “foe” is too mild. “Obama Hater” is more on the mark.

Reply
Manray9 August 16, 2013 at 11:50 am

You can be any flavor of douche bag, but if you have that magical “R” beside your name on the ballot — you’re in!

Reply
grasan August 16, 2013 at 11:10 am

Another example of how unqualified she is to be Governor. I’m not sure this was done on purpose of if she really is that clueless. A very sad State of affairs.

Reply
grasan August 16, 2013 at 11:10 am

Another example of how unqualified she is to be Governor. I’m not sure this was done on purpose of if she really is that clueless. A very sad State of affairs.

Reply
ELCID August 16, 2013 at 11:12 am

The FBI needs to investigate Haley, because SLED doesn’t have the balls to do it.

Reply
ELCID August 16, 2013 at 11:12 am

The FBI needs to investigate Haley, because SLED doesn’t have the balls to do it.

Reply
Thomas August 16, 2013 at 11:40 am

Can you imagine what Steve Benjamin would do as Gov? You make good points.

Reply
Smirks August 16, 2013 at 2:58 pm

DUI into a school bus?

Reply
Thomas August 16, 2013 at 11:40 am

Can you imagine what Steve Benjamin would do as Gov? You make good points.

Reply
Smirks August 16, 2013 at 2:58 pm

DUI into a school bus?

Reply
PeeDeeDude August 16, 2013 at 11:53 am

Spit It Out Fits!! Say What You Mean!!! LOL.. thanks man you have the ear of many of SC’s citizens – and we are listening…

Reply
PeeDeeDude August 16, 2013 at 11:53 am

Spit It Out Fits!! Say What You Mean!!! LOL.. thanks man you have the ear of many of SC’s citizens – and we are listening…

Reply
nitrat August 16, 2013 at 12:35 pm

“…eight of the nine seats on the commission are either vacant or filled by a member whose term has expired.”
So, why don’t you name these members so that they can be embarrassed in their communities?

Reply
nitrat August 16, 2013 at 12:35 pm

“…eight of the nine seats on the commission are either vacant or filled by a member whose term has expired.”
So, why don’t you name these members so that they can be embarrassed in their communities?

Reply
Vanguard16 August 16, 2013 at 1:11 pm

The politicians in this State are a disgrace!!

Reply
Vanguard16 August 16, 2013 at 1:11 pm

The politicians in this State are a disgrace!!

Reply
Cash August 16, 2013 at 1:26 pm

Alan Wilson will never do his job as attorney general and indict these criminals. He gathers donations, large donations, from those that are known to be corrupt. In fact, the more corrupt they are the larger the donation.

Reply
Honer August 16, 2013 at 2:41 pm

McMaster was the same way. Take loads of cash from the coneys of the corrupt and never do a damn thing.

Reply
Cash August 16, 2013 at 1:26 pm

Alan Wilson will never do his job as attorney general and indict these criminals. He gathers donations, large donations, from those that are known to be corrupt. In fact, the more corrupt they are the larger the donation.

Reply
Honer August 16, 2013 at 2:41 pm

McMaster was the same way. Take loads of cash from the coneys of the corrupt and never do a damn thing.

Reply
lawzoo August 16, 2013 at 1:49 pm

The agency investigating is acting as an Advisory Board.It’s really amazing the amount of laughable things that go on with no ramifications or apparently notice.”Secret negotiations” with the Governor’s attorneys ? HUH?

Damn !

Reply
lawzoo August 16, 2013 at 1:49 pm

The agency investigating is acting as an Advisory Board.It’s really amazing the amount of laughable things that go on with no ramifications or apparently notice.”Secret negotiations” with the Governor’s attorneys ? HUH?

Damn !

Reply
IMMAHANGUPPENLISSEN August 16, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Doesn’t matter. She’s still going to win. Sheheen has to convince people to fire her, not hire him– and he’s so clueless politically, he’ll never do that.

Reply
Sarah Palin Forever! August 16, 2013 at 3:12 pm

She is going to be re elected because she has the”R” by her name.Sheheens foibles having NOTHING to do with it. He could run a flawless campaign and he would still lose.

Reply
IMMAHANGUPPENLISSEN August 16, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Doesn’t matter. She’s still going to win. Sheheen has to convince people to fire her, not hire him– and he’s so clueless politically, he’ll never do that.

Reply
Sarah Palin Forever! August 16, 2013 at 3:12 pm

She is going to be re elected because she has the”R” by her name.Sheheens foibles having NOTHING to do with it. He could run a flawless campaign and he would still lose.

Reply
Walter-White August 16, 2013 at 2:44 pm

Illinois has their share of crooked politicians. They prosecute and imprison each regardless of party.
South Carolina has more than their share of crooked politicians. If the crook is a threat to run against a superior or a black democrat they are drummed from office. Otherwise they are designated Tea Party Darlings and reelected.

Reply
Walter-White August 16, 2013 at 2:44 pm

Illinois has their share of crooked politicians. They prosecute and imprison each regardless of party.
South Carolina has more than their share of crooked politicians. If the crook is a threat to run against a superior or a black democrat they are drummed from office. Otherwise they are designated Tea Party Darlings and reelected.

Reply
shifty henry August 16, 2013 at 5:04 pm

A great politician was asked for the ten thousandth time, “How did you get to be such a star politician?” He answered, “I started out as a gaseous cloud. Then I cooled.”

Reply
shifty henry August 16, 2013 at 5:04 pm

A great politician was asked for the ten thousandth time, “How did you get to be such a star politician?” He answered, “I started out as a gaseous cloud. Then I cooled.”

Reply
RHood2 August 16, 2013 at 7:35 pm

As ever, how’s that endorsement look now?

Reply
RHood2 August 16, 2013 at 7:35 pm

As ever, how’s that endorsement look now?

Reply
Stop Barking, and Bite! August 17, 2013 at 10:47 am

The people must band together and join forces to cause voter recall legislation to be enacted. We own this government. We must show them just how powerful we are.
BAND TOGETHER and LETS BITCH SLAP THESE CROOKS, LIARS AND THIEVES TO THE CURB.
Nobody will do it but us! So come on you cry babies! Do something about it!
United We Stand! Doing nothing, nothing changes!

Reply
Southern Medley August 22, 2013 at 8:35 am Reply
Stop Barking, and Bite! August 17, 2013 at 10:47 am

The people must band together and join forces to cause voter recall legislation to be enacted. We own this government. We must show them just how powerful we are.
BAND TOGETHER and LETS BITCH SLAP THESE CROOKS, LIARS AND THIEVES TO THE CURB.
Nobody will do it but us! So come on you cry babies! Do something about it!
United We Stand! Doing nothing, nothing changes!

Reply
Ralph Hightower August 17, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Again?

Reply
Ralph Hightower August 17, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Again?

Reply
chris1 August 22, 2013 at 8:00 am

I won’t be voting her in! I will vote for anyone but her…. didn’t live here when she was voted in…

Reply

Leave a Comment