SC

Exclusive: Why Nikki Haley Wasn’t Prosecuted

… HER ADMINISTRATION WOULDN’T PERMIT IT || By FITSNEWS ||   The biggest farce in South Carolina politics over the last decade was the 2012 show trial of S.C. governor Nikki Haley. Held by the notoriously corrupt S.C. House “ethics committee” – this shameful one-day hearing not only whitewashed Haley’s…

… HER ADMINISTRATION WOULDN’T PERMIT IT

|| By FITSNEWS ||   The biggest farce in South Carolina politics over the last decade was the 2012 show trial of S.C. governor Nikki Haley.

Held by the notoriously corrupt S.C. House “ethics committee” – this shameful one-day hearing not only whitewashed Haley’s serious wrongdoings (while assassinating the character of her accuser), it successfully buried all of the evidence against her.

That’s right: None of the information on Haley collected by S.C. Rep. Kenny Bingham‘s committee was ever entered into the public record (including Haley’s legislative emails, which the governor has fought to keep hidden before).

But the public whitewash – since forgotten as Haley hypocritically assumed the mantle of “ethics reformer” – was just part of the story.

The other part?

A controversial decision by S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson not to prosecute Haley in state court – outside of the corrupt legislative “self-policing” mechanism.

Wilson’s high-profile prosecutions of former S.C. lieutenant governor Ken Ard and House Speaker Bobby Harrell earned him the reputation as a crusading reformer.  But reformers who have previously supported his efforts are now questioning whether he is truly interested in rooting out public corruption – or merely clearing obstacles for his political allies.

“Two common threads in the prosecutions of Ard and Harrell stand out,” one of our law enforcement sources told us.  “Both prosecutions involved violations equal to or lesser than the governor’s abuse of the public trust.  And both prosecutions served to advance the legislative influence of Wilson’s allies.”

The source is correct: Ard’s resignation resulted in John Courson becoming president of the State Senate.  And Harrell’s resignation nearly resulted in Bingham (whose committee covered up the Haley scandal) becoming the next Speaker of the House.  In fact Bingham is likely to ascend to this position sooner rather than later – as current Speaker Jay Lucas has made it clear he’s not interested in holding the post for an extended period of time.

Both Courson and Bingham – like Wilson – belong to “The Quinndom,” a.k.a. the consulting empire of Richard Quinn and Associates.

Indicting and prosecuting Haley?  That would have done nothing for the Quinndom.  In fact it would have forced Courson to lose his powerful Senate post (which he eventually lost last summer anyway after the Quinndom cut a deal with powerful Senate finance chairman Hugh Leatherman).

During an interview last spring, FITS grilled Wilson over his decision not to prosecute Haley.

“I can’t prosecute what I think happened, I have to prosecute what I can prove,” Wilson told us at the time.

But how is that determination reached?  According to sources within the attorney general’s office, the process involved in the decision not to prosecute Haley raises more questions than answers – for both Wilson and the governor.

“Wilson regularly convenes a team of prosecutors and investigators who discuss the disposition of big ticket cases,” our source explained.

Wilson and his most trusted advisors comprise half of this panel, whereas the other half is comprised of S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and his most trusted aides.

Keel, for those of you who don’t recall, was appointed to his post by Haley.

That’s a clear conflict of interest …

“A handful of people in a room made the decision not to prosecute her,” our source said, “with half of them reporting to her.”

Amazing … and so typical of South Carolina.

Just as lawmakers (and former lawmakers) have a “get out of jail free” card, it would appear governors do, too …

Not everyone is sold on the theory, though – despite our sources telling us that every single SLED investigator in the room (including Keel) urged Wilson not to pursue a criminal case against the governor.

For example an erstwhile Wilson supporter – instrumental in the Harrell prosecution – doubted this naked conflict of interest played a role in the decision not to prosecute Haley.

“Haley got off because they had no hard evidence and no one would confirm anything,” the source said.

Not true … there was hard evidence.  It was simply ignored.

Obviously the Haley saga is over.  At this stage of the game, it seems clear she’s dodged the bullet.

But the rumors of “selective prosecution” will continue to dog Wilson’s ongoing “probe” of corruption in the S.C. General Assembly – especially if lawmakers with obvious issues are permitted to continue doing business as usual.

***

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42 comments

Manray9 April 14, 2015 at 10:39 am

It’s simple. Republican politicians in SC don’t prosecute Republican politicians in SC.

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The Colonel April 14, 2015 at 10:49 am

“…politicians in SC don’t prosecute Republican politicians in SC…”

There, fixed it for you.

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Manray9 April 14, 2015 at 4:38 pm

They’re all on the same gravy train, but the handful of Dems don’t get in on the spoils. The gravy goes to those in power. Please, remind me: which Democrats hold statewide office?

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The Colonel April 14, 2015 at 5:00 pm

I was acknowledging your statement and making it universal.

As for the questions about Democrats who held statewide office and didn’t get prosecuted, how long have you got. Tillman admitted to lynching blacks to keep them from voting, We’re just looking at the current crop of cockroaches.

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Manray9 April 14, 2015 at 5:38 pm

Going back a ways! Ben Tillman died in 1918 and is known by most people now days for a building at Clemson. My point: corruption and cronyism run rampant in one-party states — just as they did in the old Soviet Union and the old Democratic South Carolina. You want to clean up SC politics? Create a true opposition party. Don’t vote for the crooks no matter what letter is beside their name on the ballot.

TroubleBaby April 15, 2015 at 11:38 am

“My point: corruption and cronyism run rampant in one-party states”

Corruption and cronyism run rampant regardless the number of participatory parties in a governance. It is a symptom of governance itself, Lord Action and all of that.

There are no selfless angels in government, only the self interested with the power of government, funded by you and me, behind them and no other substantive check on their power.(contrary to what the Constitution declares)

vicupstate April 15, 2015 at 2:54 pm

If competition is good for business, why isn’t it good for politics?

TroubleBaby April 15, 2015 at 3:44 pm

“If competition is good for business, why isn’t it good for politics?”

Because the goal of all participatory political parties in government is the continued taking of your wealth for their own goals.

Assuming a business operates in a free market environment(which is a difficult assumption in today’s fascistic system, but for this example we’ll assume such), which would be characterized by “voluntary” exchange(meaning you would choose to give your money to a company, not have it taken), the goal would be that both parties in the exchange benefit.

As we can see with government today, politicians are more concerned with their own benefit primarily rather than the benefit of the people who are forced to subsidize them/government.

So the goals of “competition” are different for government parties than business generally speaking.

Buz Martin April 14, 2015 at 10:59 am

Yes they do. If they go against the establishment. Which has many prominent Democrats as allies.

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Manray9 April 14, 2015 at 11:10 am

There are prominent Democrats?

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Buz Martin April 14, 2015 at 11:01 am

Surprised there are no jokes in the story around the word “probe.”

Will wants this one to be taken seriously.

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GrandTango April 14, 2015 at 11:10 am

So do you…but your reputation – like FITS- precedes you…LMAO…

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Daniel Boome April 14, 2015 at 11:20 am

You’ve used this line numerous time before. Try something new for once.

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GrandTango April 14, 2015 at 11:21 am

Does that ignorant comment mean you’ve GIVEN UP?….LMAO…

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Daniel Boome April 14, 2015 at 11:29 am

Does your typical failure to address the point I brought up and attempt to put the focus back on me confirm that I’m right?

GT Got Slapped April 14, 2015 at 12:53 pm

Ouch!

Rocky April 14, 2015 at 2:52 pm

Daniel, he never addresses the point. Showing him up with facts only displays your intellect, and his stupidity. And he really likes to show that stupidity off. That and use LMAO because he’s still texting on his Moto-razor.

Krazy Kat April 14, 2015 at 2:37 pm

He missed a shot at “hard evidence” too!!

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GrandTango April 14, 2015 at 11:09 am

Wile E. Coyote…

Will FITS ever learn…???LMAO…

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road runner April 14, 2015 at 11:22 am

“I can’t prosecute what I think happened, I have to prosecute what I can prove,” Wilson told us at the time.

Fits/Buz Martin motto???:

“We can’t report what really happened, we have to make shit up and report what we can’t prove”

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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GrandTango April 14, 2015 at 11:27 am

That is SO funny……The FUNNIEST commentary is the TRUEST…and you hit the nail on the head…

If the law was like FITS and Buz see it…Everybody would be in jail, except them, T-Rav and RonPaul….LMAO…

They know it all…but can’t prove any of it ….and everyone else is stupid…

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mamatiger92 April 14, 2015 at 12:07 pm

Morning, Flip.

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Bible Thumper April 14, 2015 at 11:38 am

“Two common threads in the prosecutions of Ard and Harrell standout.”
The states laws are clearer when it comes to misuse of campaign funds. Haley is not accused of misusing campaign funds.
Sen.Robert Ford also was taken down for spending campaign cash on himself. The laws regarding the charges against Haley are weak or nonexistent. Wilson made the right decision.

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you know me April 14, 2015 at 11:49 am

John H. Douglas, Chesterfield…new SC rock star.

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ohmy April 14, 2015 at 11:55 am

Please, Will! Don’t post articles like this. The national media is a watchdog and articles like this could sabotage Nikki’s chances of being on the ticket as veep, or challenging Tim Scott. Also, don’t bash Alan Wilson anymore or we may have Henry McMaster as the next guv.

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easterndumbfuckistan April 14, 2015 at 11:56 am

Dad Wilson told Baby Wilson to Ixnay on aleyhay osecutionpray. They’ll both be (un)Justly rewarded in the upcoming Republican administration when Haley is a cabinet secretary or VP.

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You Know My Name April 14, 2015 at 5:51 pm

Yep!

I can’t believe that Will’s just now figuring out what I’ve been saying for years now, that Alan is another crook, no different from his dad’s cronies in the Lexington Crime Ring. Well, he’s probably a bit more of a jock sniffer than the others, but not really much different.

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Libtard April 14, 2015 at 12:00 pm

It will be funny how this will all shake out when Haley and Wilson battle for Daddy Joe’s congressional seat.

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Very Oldtimer April 14, 2015 at 12:12 pm

In reference to the “panel” – Keel and his “most trusted aides” are members of an agency called “SLED” in our modern times.

When I was younger (alas, MUCH younger) the name of the agency was the “Governor’s Constabulary”. Some wags called it the “Pocket Police”.

Could it be, by chance, that SLED is still the “Governor’s Constabulary” acting it its old ways???

In my adult lifetime, there have been only two persons who tried to run it as it should be run… Chief Oren Brady and Chief Robert Stewart. While Chief Stewart and I did not professionally get along, we did personally. He was and is an honest man, and was instrumental in convicting the former DHEC Commissioner and his flunky back in the 1970s, before he became Chief of SLED.

With regard to the Attorney General’s quandry, the evidence may be so tainted that it could not be used in court. Without being able to use real evidence, it becomes a “he said – she said” pissing contest, and prosecutions have failed many times for this reason.

I rather think that “The Quinndom” has had nothing to do with it. They win, whichever direction it goes.

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CNSYD April 14, 2015 at 1:01 pm

You need to be reminded that facts are not tolerated on this site. They destroy Folks’ agenda and his narrative.

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Pipes A'Pouring April 14, 2015 at 8:16 pm

–He was and is an honest man, and was instrumental in convicting the former DHEC Commissioner and his flunky back in the 1970s–

We may soon need him again!

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one_big_dude April 14, 2015 at 1:12 pm

Politicians are corrupt…we all know that. So let’s concentrate on Nikki’s beautiful booty!

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one_big_dude April 14, 2015 at 1:23 pm

I worship her butt

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whatsthis April 14, 2015 at 2:44 pm

speaking of whitewash whatever happened to that story about him not pay fair market value for renting that house?

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Rocky April 14, 2015 at 2:51 pm

The obvious reason was the GOP was not going to allow a woman governor to be prosecuted in 2012 during a general election campaign. It would have made the GOP look even worse towards women. And now, no one cares. She’s been re-elected, and no one is going to do anything but wait for her next four years to end, and hope she doesn’t screw up the state more than she already has.

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Yak April 14, 2015 at 5:33 pm

The “prosecuted” in the case was….wait for it…Rick Quinn’s brother-in-law.

Yep, this was a done deal from start to finish.

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Curioser cat April 14, 2015 at 9:51 pm

Name?

Which prosecution?

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Wilson Is Not Trustworthy April 14, 2015 at 6:55 pm

Welcome to the Soviet Union.

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Pipes A'Pouring April 14, 2015 at 8:13 pm

This is how regulatory agency enforcement acts too. “Mom and Pop” can get gored and run through the mill, but the big boys and their friends get a pass.

At least one major bureau at DHEC got a chief appointed specifically to reduce enforcement fines over violations of antipollution laws. But to show the funding agency EPA that something was being done with their money, a few fines have to be made. So Mom and Pop get some and egregious big-boy violators may occasionally get a minor slap, to run up the “incident” numbers but reduce the dollar amount. It also of course reduces the lesson effect and the impetus to avoid future violations. Just as the legislature wishes.

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Very Oldtimer April 14, 2015 at 9:44 pm

Perhaps this is why DHEC’s drug control bureau was basically dismantled in 1992. Apparently it tried to enforce the drug laws equally and equitably over the years, but made the “mistake” of bringing cases against politically protected “friends” in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While it is still functional (at least on paper), there is not nearly the amount of enforcement (or cases brought) as there was for the preceding 20 years under DHEC and the preceding 30+ years under the old State Board of Health, which was truly a “Citizen’s Agency”.

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Old Friend of Very Oldtimer April 14, 2015 at 9:48 pm

And they got blamed for blowing the whistle on the “Commissioner and his Flunky”. Wasn’t so (was other internal sources who collected the information and presented it to SLED), but they got the blame, being one of the two “straight arrow” parts of DHEC at the time.

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ELCID April 15, 2015 at 11:57 am

Alan Wilson is in the back pocket of his father: Joe Wilson and his relationship with Tricky Nicky Haley. She’s able to control Alan thru is dad, Joe. SLED won’t move without Wilson’s approval.

The only way she can ever be taken down is by the FBI’s Federal Investigations.
Considering how much Federal money she has miss appropriated in the past, it’s very interesting that the Feds have not come down on her by now. It’s probably Joe, operating behind the scenes that has kept the Feds off of her up to now. You’d think that Obama would have gone after her by now. All very strange.

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