ANOTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE SCANDAL TIED TO POWERFUL CONSULTING FIRM
|| By FITSNEWS || Incoming S.C. lieutenant governor Henry McMaster has been accused of taking more than $50,000 in excessive campaign contributions during his failed bid for governor of South Carolina four years ago.
The S.C. State Ethics Commission (SCSEC) will hold a closed door hearing on the allegations against the former two-term attorney general (and ex-SCGOP chairman) in mid-March – two months after he takes the oath as the state’s “second-in-command.”
Wait … a “closed door hearing?” Yup. This is South Carolina, where the system is almost always rigged in favor of those in power.
According to the complaint (filed by a Greenville, S.C. resident way back in April), McMaster “created a phantom general election in which he was not participating and solicited additional donations for that election in an effort to circumvent the law.”
Whoa … sounds kinda serious, doesn’t it? Indeed …
McMaster lost his 2010 race to S.C. governor Nikki Haley, but he won the “Republican” primary for lieutenant governor last spring over Haley’s handpicked No. 2, Patrick McKinney. Two months ago McMaster defeated Democrat Bakari Sellers to claim the lieutenant governor’s office – overcoming yet another round of controversy surrounding his association with various “whites only” social organizations.
McMaster is best known in Palmetto political circles for his nickname – “Foghorn Leghorn” – an homage to his thick Southern drawl and dubious intelligence.
Of interest? McMaster’s campaign finance problems are eerily similar to those experienced by Alan Wilson – the crusading prosector who followed him into the attorney general’s office.
In fact we filed this exclusive report last March delving into Wilson’s campaign finance issues – which also included excessive contributions.
According to our sources, such creative campaign accounting was standard operating procedure at Richard Quinn and Associates – the consulting firm which ran both McMaster and Wilson’s 2010 campaigns.
In fact one source familiar with the “playbook” used by Quinn told us excessive contributions were “routinely” received by candidates – and then disguised through clever accounting tricks.
“We go through at least a dozen steps before any mention is made of returning the money,” the source continued, adding that returned money is routinely “re-routed to the candidate through contributions from other campaigns.”
***
90 comments
The idea that any gov’t agency should be allowed to hold hearing behind closed doors is laughable.
Gov’t should be run fully transparent. To suggest otherwise is to ask corruption to be laid at your doorstep.
There is nothing, NOTHING that can’t be handled in a transparent manner. The taxpayers deserve that at the least considering the worst in society run thier lives with their confiscated wealth.
Unfortunately every politician that seems to run proclaiming they’ll be different seem to take the attitude of “It’s OK if I do it though!” as soon as they’re in.
Dude. This article says nothing. Who file the complaint? Is a copy available? What the heck does this mean: “McMaster ‘created a phantom general election in which he was not participating and solicited additional donations for that election in an effort to circumvent the law.'”
What was the phantom election? He had a primary and a general election, as you stated. Context, man, context. Don’t just caterwaul a pile of flapdoodle.
ya seriously, how did the attorney general create an election?
He lost the primary election to Harley so he was not in a general election. He had to call it quits.
Said it before, here we go again.
South Carolina hasn’t had a decent Lt. Governor since Brantley Harvey.
Mike Daniel mental midget
Nick Theodore decent guy empty suit
Bob Peeler disgraced adulterer liar cheat
Andre Bauer immature imbecilic moron
Ken Ard unethical crook
Glenn Mcconnel Peter Pan Fairy
Yancy McGill questionable character
Henry McMaster questionable ethics
And, just look who stands behind McMaster……our own unethical, immoral, lying Governot!!! ….Haley
This is SC. He’s in as much trouble as Haley. None..
La cu-ca- | ra-cha, la cu-ca-ra-cha| ya no pue-de ca-mi-narpor-que no | tie-ne, por-que le fal-ta| u-na pa-ta de a-tras.
Another week, another republican accused of ethical and/or criminal misdeeds.
And another week of combined republican ethics violations not even coming close to catching up with Charlie Rangel.
Republicans have such a big advantage on ideas, it’s easy to get by with weakness on ethics. Kinda like Clemson’s offence.
Oh, the cognitive dissonance required to be a southern ‘conservative’. Thanks for the display.
He lost the primary, therefore he was not in a general election.
thus, he created a sham election (cycle).
“cognitive dissonance”
It’s a coping mechanism. Otherwise I would be crazy, like Tango.
Not sure what a Tango is, but it must be pretty fucking bad to out crazy you.
How are those ideas when actually implemented in the real world? Ask Kansas.
Ask Detroit.
Actually, look out the window. At least you guys will work for peanuts. The rest of the world needs it’s tires and Walmart cashiers. Any new call centers coming to SC?
The world wants what South Carolina produces. BMW’s, jumbo jets, and turbine engines.
And what exactly does WASHINGTON make these days?
War & a welfare class?
Produced by the cheapest labor these companies could find.
That one legged offense looked pretty dang good.
35-17…how’s that “offence” for you?
Well, actually not, but whatever helps you to not realize you’re supporting a bunch of ethically challenged douchebags. Somebody has to elect these assholes. Thanks, sucker.
Supporting? Not exactly. I’m merely pointing out that it would take many republicans to make one Charlie Rangel.
No. That’s exactly what you are doing. I can see why you would choose to live with and be governed by douchebags. I’m sure you’re like a pig in shit living in SC.
Man, how does it feel to go around with such a negative attitude? You sound like the grand fucking poobah of the douchebags. You have to admit, Charlie Rangel is one disgustingly slimy politician. The sooner simpletons like you can figure out that government is a two headed snake we can all get along a lot better.
You jump on my comment with a with a moronic pissy little response. That you apparently don’t even really believe. Why is it you make statements defending Republicans, then when you get shutdown you play like you’re against both parties? You vote republican and chose to live in a republican run state. Just own it, Fecal Mister.
Shut down by whom? I vote for people who campaign on policy that I agree with, doesn’t matter what their party affiliation is. As far as choosing to live in SC, it was a choice back in 1996 when I took a job in television here. Now I’m stuck here waiting on the real estate market to turn around so I can sell several houses, then I’ll probably move. I’ve lived all over the United States, South Carolina has it’s faults but it’s certainly not as bad a place as people like you make it out to be. Have a good day Cockwork.
“Now, I’m stuck…” There you go.
Sue me for wanting to move back to NC to be nearer to aging family members.
Hey, you’re stuck in SC. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. Good luck selling all those houses in SC. Why not rent them out? Surely, with all that real estate you could get a loan to help facilitate a move all the way to NC. Those family members aren’t getting any younger. lol
Two of them are rented. However, with the current non owner occupancy tax rape that SC imposes on owners of “investment” property I’m not earning enough income to turn them over to a property management service. I know you think you have all the answers, but you don’t.
This is getting too depressing. Please stop.
I’m sorry, I thought you indicated that aging family members are LOL. What’s so damned depressing?
There is no difference in the parties!
Some crooks are more talented than others.
Charlie Rangel? How old is that story? Is that all you can trot out? These SC Republican crooks are ethically challenged today. Right now. Not years ago. It’s difficult for Dems to be corrupt and face ethics violations in SC since Republicans hold all the state-wide offices. The dirt’s on them.
Did Lerner go to jail for abusing the IRS by specifically targeting political minorities?
You mean by specifically enforcing the tax laws of the land. Why would someone go to jail for that?
By singling people out “Bonehead”!
Singling out groups that were breaking the law. It’s called doing your job.
Just like cops do to blacks.
Or like black cops do to white out of control drunk sheriffs.
Did Republicans start the umpteenth Benghazi investigation and actually find something for once?
JEEEZ..! Is that Nikki’s finger — it’s obscenely loooong..!
Every male who read your comment and scrolled back up to the picture to take a look all whispered to themselves
damn, glad that son of a bitch ain’t checking my prostate
Pretty good! 10+
Evil dwells within the hallowed halls of SC.
The crooked bunch that money can buy
“Ethics” in a time of single party rule. Here we go again.
Stop it. He’s entitled. He’s part of the Ruling Elite – the important special car-tag group that gets to run this state. You should be glad, and consider yourself lucky the State Police don’t show up and put you in jail.
I always thought Wile E. Coyote was smarter than Foghorn Leghorn, but Wile E. continued to buy contraptions from ACME that didn’t work, so I give the edge to Foghorn.
hah! — been stayin’ up late watching those cartoons to verify that statement..??
It’s Import stuff. Somebody has to do it. Where does Bullwinkle, Yogi Bear and Porky rate?
“Porky” is the best name in the world.
Always wanted to see anime style Porky Pig porn.
Always wanted to see anime style Porky Pig porn.
This is the internet, if it hasn’t been made, don’t worry, someone’s probably making it right now.
At least FoxNews has taught you something.
Another corrupt SC republican official ..Im shocked, shocked i say (it wouldnt make any diff if dem or repub by the way..)
How dare any of you question this use of funds. Don’t you freakin’ understand, he’s part of the ruling class of South Carolina. He’s entitled to cheat and get extra money. He is one of the Gods of Columbia, and we have no business insisting he follow the law. The law is for peasants, like us. Not for great wizards of intellect in the ruling class. Now shut up before we send Eckstrom’s son over to kick your ass.
hahaha…
Dem Eckstom men only beat on women. Preferably pregnant women, but any old gal will do.
South Carolina sucks. Yet, we are the number two destination in the nation for people moving. Second highest ratio of incoming/outgoing.
http://www.unitedvanlines.com/about-united/news/movers-study-2014
Smart young families outgoing, replaced by retired Yankees along the coast.
Any wonder Democrats keep talking about imposing even MORE ethics laws???..
Democrats have been deemed UNFIT for office in SC. So they take out the people they hate, using regulations. Obama has implemented thousands of un-Constitutional regulations on business, to where good people are being indicted for doing their job…Part of the reason for the Disastrous Obama-conomy…
And is anyone surprised that un-FITS is out leading the charge any time a claim comes out about a Republican…while FITS talks about how much he LIKES Ho-Chasin’, Car-slammin’ influence-peddlin Top Democrat Steve Benjamin…
As long as we have Dolts that can be fooled…they will keep up this Bull-S#!*….
“As long as we have Dolts that can be fooled…they will keep up this Bull-S#!*”
You have served them well, Dolt.
Only a true lover of crooked politicians would blame MORE ethics laws on Republicans criminal activity.
I NEVER voted for Obama, or any Democrat Dumb@$$…I’m not fooled into screwing myself, so the elites can live large…and make families suffer….
Living large elites like the Bushes, Cheneys, Romneys? You’re screwing the hell out of yourself. And people say you don’t get any ;-)
I have NO problem w/ people EARNING wealth in America. Economic freedom allows us to help others. If you acquire nothing, you can help NO ONE…
I have a BIG problem w/ Greedy Government TAXING Thieves, who have NEVER worked, and feel privileged to TAKE all we have (like Obama does)….
You do nothing but HURT Americans. Not only by forcing the working to struggle, but by drying up what we give to those who don’t have….
Even Harvest Hope Food Bank has had to fire its workers, and cut its hours. More people are STARVING under Obama…and fewer of us can give as much, because we’re paying extra for gas, utilities, healthcare…while hours are cut or FT jobs go PT, under your wealth-gobbling president…
Obama equals FAIURE for ALL Americans, but his lazy-crony Banker contributors…
Poor child. You are so confused, you don’t know if you are coming or going. Inheriting your money from Daddy is not earning wealth. The Bush, Romeny and Koch boys started with their Granddaddy’s wealth. That wealth comes with Daddy’s advisors. You originally complained about ‘large living elites’. Now it’s the government? I work, earn wealth and my tax dollars go towards your gov’t assistance. You can thank me at anytime, son.
Your attempts are so pathetic. Why do y’all even try. You offer the tremendously lame in response to my sound and substantial content. You just end up proving yourselves to be the Dumb@$$#$ I accuse you of being. (:
Oh, GrandTango you make trolls lovable. Have a great day.
p.s. What’s this? (:
Don’t fool yourself…you’re NOT lovable, no how much I prop you up or make you somewhat relevant by responding…. (: …
“…Obama has implemented thousands of un-Constitutional regulations on business, to where good people are being indicted for doing their job…”
PLEASE, show us where you found that fact. Links??
From the Heritage Foundation….
During the first three years of the Obama Administration, massive new major federal regulations added more than $46 billion per year in new costs for Americans. This is almost four times the number—and more than five times the cost—of the major regulations issued by George W. Bush during his first three years. Hundreds more regulations are winding through the rulemaking pipeline as a consequence of the Dodd–Frank financial-regulation law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s global warming crusade, threatening to further weaken an anemic economy and job creation……
Zso we’ve gone from 1,000’s to 100’s? and the Heritage Foundation wouldn’t lie…
You think you can impose regulation violation rules on hundreds and accumulate $46 billion per year in new costs…You’re a bigger F*#king idiot than most Democrats…
Most of them at least know how to calculate when it’s other peoples’ money.,…
‘Hey,man,smell my finger’
The finger! Babu from Seinfeld… Bad man. Bery, bery bad man.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VN29X2HCKpU
Does that mean that after Trikki’s indicted, Henry may be next and we will have Gov. Leatherman?
Good Job Voters you just elected another fucking criminal!!!
South Carolina loves a crook….lets see the last Lt. Governor was removed..hmmm maybe its time to vote for changes morons.
If someone doesn’t like it, move. That’s what I did. Just let the ignorant fools have the place. No loss.
Ethics is a liberal hoax.
Campaign fundraiser John Camp is a picture of GOP entitlement. The rules are for everyone else, not we, the “blue bloods” of SC. To make matters worse, he is a CPA.
John would think, “how dare they say we have to follow the rules.”
The accounting “tricks” are not so “clever” if they keep getting caught, right?
Any candidate who uses RQA is asking for trouble.
somebody is out to get all the McMasters………
Soooo…. Nikki’s guy didn’t win, and almost immediately the guy who did gets put through the ethics wringer that whitewashed Nikki…. Ya THINK something might be a bit questionable????
What about the hundreds of thousands he was paid by the USC law school? Did he raise enough money to even cover his salary?