SC

Powerful SC Senate Leader Games System … And No One Cares

RICH WHITE MAN BENEFITING FROM MINORITY/ FEMALE CONTRACT STANDARDS Fiscally liberal “Republican” politicians in South Carolina love to live off the land (a.k.a. the labors of the taxpayers) … in fact they’ve been doing it for decades.  And they keep getting away with it (at our expense) for a variety of…

RICH WHITE MAN BENEFITING FROM MINORITY/ FEMALE CONTRACT STANDARDS

Fiscally liberal “Republican” politicians in South Carolina love to live off the land (a.k.a. the labors of the taxpayers) … in fact they’ve been doing it for decades.  And they keep getting away with it (at our expense) for a variety of reasons.

First, South Carolina’s anti-corruption laws are a joke.  Second, there is absolutely zero enforcement of those laws (unless it involves the advancement of someone’s political agendas).  Third, there is very little accountability provided by state’s mainstream media in terms of exposing the state’s rampant corruption.

Just prior to the Christmas holiday we saw another example of this sad dynamic at work …

On December 21, reporter Ron Aiken of The Nerve – a Columbia, S.C.-based internet site – ran an exclusive story about powerful S.C. Senate leader Hugh Leatherman taking advantage of a “disadvantaged business enterprise” designation. This designation is intended to steer government contracts toward businesses owned by women and minorities.

So … how is it that an 84-year-old white man is profiting from such a designation?  Easy: He put a woman in “charge” of one of his companies.

Do we support such female/ minority designations?  Hell no.   Nor do we support the vast majority of federal contracts flowing through them.  It’s textbook waste and inefficiency.

But rich politicians exploiting these female/ minority designations for personal gain?  That’s nothing short of diabolical.

According to Aiken’s report, over the last three years Leatherman’s company – Florence Concrete – has received $1.9 million in contracts “that otherwise would have gone to minority businesses more fully meeting the spirit, not just the letter” of the disadvantaged business standard.

Interesting …

Even more interesting?  Not a single mainstream media outlet in the state picked up Aiken’s report.

Two-and-a-half years ago this website exposed a direct link between Leatherman and millions of dollars in state transportation contracts.  None of that income was disclosed by Leatherman on his required financial disclosure documents.

Nothing happened in the aftermath of our reporting, either … (well, except for Leatherman becoming even more powerful by virtue of his 2014 election as Senate president).

Oh, and Leatherman has spent the intervening years pushing for additional increases in transportation funding in the Palmetto State via a tax hike on gasoline – even though the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT)’s base recurring budget has nearly doubled in the last seven years.  And even though Palmetto State residents pay more of their income on fuel than residents of any other state save Mississippi or West Virginia.

Again … politicians living off the land.

Leatherman’s actions are perfectly legal under the state’s lax income disclosure requirements – and even if they weren’t, no one in state government is going to challenge the guy who controls state government.  Especially not with the mainstream media pressing the “mute” button on this particular outrage.

So the beat goes on …

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

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43 comments

Jack December 28, 2015 at 2:16 pm

Its not that no one cares, its just that Corrupt Republican screwing citizens is no longer news. Its just a way of life in good old SC.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis December 28, 2015 at 2:24 pm

Don’t look for a change either. Maybe if Loftis is governor.

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Clemson Guy December 28, 2015 at 5:57 pm

Lol, Loftis?!?!? we do not need another hypocritical tea party dope as governor. If the Governorship goes Haley to Loftis (or Wilson as he is as hypocritical as they come), it would be yet another sad reflection on the SC Republican party.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis December 28, 2015 at 6:43 pm

What ya got to hide ? You seem like that worries you. Are you a long-term SC Crook?

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Rick December 28, 2015 at 6:55 pm

The Loftis haters have a lot to hide. That is why they post anonymously on here. They are cowards that are smiling the system and Loftis is the only one that will stand up to them.

Sic Semper Tyrannis December 28, 2015 at 7:27 pm

I agree, anyone that doesn’t like or support his actions more than likely is a crook already on the taxpayer’s dime illegally.

Logan January 1, 2016 at 7:05 am

Get real, Sic Semper Tyrannis, and get real Rick, You are alter egos of Curtis Loftis and you already know that Loftis is a crook, taking money from the tax payers, the state employees, the state retirees, the Bank of NY/Mellon, the many funds in the STO. Just ask the employees of the STO. over%100 resigned because they could not take his temper, his racism, his lies… under oath .

Ned January 4, 2016 at 6:27 pm

You are a filthy liar

SamG Talks Like A Perv December 30, 2015 at 1:32 pm

My houses got wet in October and my water was turned off and dirty yesterday for a while. I need to game all the money I can from the public and state employees to make my miserable life better.

DB January 1, 2016 at 7:14 am

Stupid Loftis talks Like A Perv! Many wells in SC… Many private sources of clean water. Just look around , you talk like an idiot, yes, you are an idiot. Your home was destroyed and you made the insurance pay for your own negligence. Stand up and take responsibility for your stupidity. Enough of your crap.

SicSemperTyrannis January 1, 2016 at 8:35 pm

What an idiot you are Loftis.. ” My houses got wet in October..” Really, Which one.. got dirty for a while…which one? You are more than a stupid ass. Prove it before you say it.. Loftis you are a liar. beyond control. No brain, shit for brain..

EdMcMull January 1, 2016 at 6:50 am

Loftis lies and he lies under oath. He is a coward and posts anonymously on here. He blows his vile, false praises out of his own infected ass. He told 2 staffers that he expected to be impeached . He must be impeached. Not qualified and lying under oath about his qualifications. Lies and under oath!

Ned January 4, 2016 at 6:26 pm

Filthy liar.

Donald January 1, 2016 at 8:08 pm

Curtis Melvin Loftis has a lot to hide.. That is why he posts anonymously here. An elected official, posting on Fits and Fits posting on Loftis.. What do you know? Crap posting on crap. an elected official posting on crap, We know you, Loftis and we know your disgusting ways. Gross, lies. You are not qualified for the job, you lied under oath. Not qualified … Under oath. Lied

Ned January 4, 2016 at 6:25 pm

You are a filthy liar

clemsonguy December 28, 2015 at 10:08 pm

lol take a deep breath and and calm down with your conspiracy theories. I can’t stand any of the tea party dopes. I am an equal opportunity basher whether it be Haley, Wilson or Loftis.

Not everyone who post a negative comment against your false god Loftis is an evil conspiring politician.

Cinthya January 1, 2016 at 7:51 pm

Loftis does not walk on water… He is a false god with an infected butt ” Is Curtis Loftis Gay” 2004. Alt.talk. royalty. Infected butt from sworn testimonies , his own words. Needs to get away from our children and young men. Commercials about our young men and paint their future bright must be stopped. The Man is infected and dangerous to our young men and children. Curtis Loftis must resign. So sick and so tired of his crap.

Cindy January 1, 2016 at 7:32 am

Would be great if the Legislative Audit Council ( LAC) would investigate the STO next. They will have quite a job to do. Corruption is rampant in the STO. Curtis lies and under oath…His 2 C girls are vicious and corrupted , kissing his butt, because they get big raises.. Loftis will be shitting his pants soon.

Ned January 4, 2016 at 6:24 pm

Cindy, you are a filthy liar.

Alan January 5, 2016 at 7:04 pm

Loftis is initiating the negative press against Alan Wilson… Beware of the vile , infected dog…

Dope January 2, 2016 at 4:12 am

Agree with you, Clemson Guy. Corrupted Loftis! Is corrupted Alan Wilson covering his ass and the ass of Curtis Loftis? Hypocrites, they are and pretending to stand for justice. SC Republican party is a sad joke.

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James January 4, 2016 at 6:23 pm

Sam Griswold, you are a sick puppy. Alan Wilson knows who you are and what you are doing,

Rat January 5, 2016 at 6:29 pm

Curtis Melvin Loftis, you are a sick puppy. Alan Wilson knows who you are and what you are doing. Are negative posts on FITS and media against Alan Wilson initiated by Curtis Loftis? I bet that the AG is very sorry that Curtis Loftis babysat him and that he issued opinions … after the facts covering his ass and the ass of Curtis Loftis. Tell me again about who is running for governor! Alan Wilson and Curtis Melvin Loftis? One has a degree and the other has a bug control degree. LOFTIS IS A RAT…

Tracy December 28, 2015 at 3:04 pm

The political establishment runs this state like a 19th century fiefdom. And that’s pretty much what it is: a dirt poor politically radical right wing paradise for hustlers and other morally challenged people. Infrastructure, education and civil behavior will not become priorities for a long time. SC will continue its march towards a 3rd world region.

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Soft Sigh from Hell December 28, 2015 at 6:16 pm

I’d go back a few centuries more.

SC residents have a peasant mentality: “the lords are allowed.”

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Lone Ranger December 28, 2015 at 4:22 pm

Meanwhile…the OTHER flag-ripping, payday-grubbing scum read their inside polling and learned that next year will be a blast

We’ve got the names of the cowards who joined Joe Wilson in flag-ripping without YOUR vote and we WILL hand them their… !!!

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teresalrao December 29, 2015 at 3:09 am

?my neighbor’s stride mother is making 98$ HOURLY on the internet?….

A few days ago new McLaren F1 subsequent after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, 17k$ Last month ..3-5 h/r of work a day ..with extra open doors & weekly paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over 87$, p/h.Learn More right Here
6hmj……….
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??? http://GlobalSuperEmploymentVacanciesReportsHigh/GetPaid/98$hourly?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?

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Superfly December 28, 2015 at 4:38 pm

I’ve often said it’s not what is illegal taking place by members of the General Assembly that is so shocking, but rather what is legal and taking place that is so shocking.

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clemsonguy December 28, 2015 at 10:14 pm

Will miracles happen and their actually be Ethics Reform in 2016., sadly probably not.

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Eric December 28, 2015 at 6:53 pm

Leatherman, as Chair of Senate Finance, can send money to a variety of places that “launders” the money before going to his firm. Whatever you think you know about Leatherman’s government income, forget it. You are playing a game while only looking at one half go the field. He controls it the whole field, he wrote the rules and is getting all far more than you can see.

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Cal December 28, 2015 at 6:58 pm

Leatherman controls, though the budget process, SLED, the Inspector General, the Atty General, the Ethics Commission,the Ethics Committee and other key offices that would “normally” investigate the Senator for these practices. To think he would ever have trouble, while stealing tax dollars, is a joke.

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Manny the taxpayer. December 28, 2015 at 6:59 pm

Agreed. He will die a wealthy Senator. A very wealthy Senator.

And there is nothing we can do about it.

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1SC December 29, 2015 at 10:52 am

The SC Ethics Commission has no authority over legislators. Unfortunate, but true.

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ethelcgage December 30, 2015 at 3:27 am

?my neighbor’s stride mother is making 98$ HOURLY on the internet?….

A few days ago new McLaren F1 subsequent after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, 17k$ Last month ..3-5 h/r of work a day ..with extra open doors & weekly paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over 87$, p/h.Learn More right Here
ns…………….
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??? http://GlobalSuperEmploymentVacanciesReportsWorld/GetPaid/98$hourly?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?

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Cal December 30, 2015 at 6:46 pm

Correct. But he uses it to punish his non-senator foes. He has been doing that for 20 years.

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AlanW January 1, 2016 at 6:49 pm

The SC Ethics Commission needs to act on the many ethics violations on record, filed by many concerned citizens , tax payers with very well documented information. Violation of State ethics laws by Curtis Melvin Loftis , hiring a friend with whom he is associated to gain $2 million dollars… Probable cause… I say, %100 true. He hired a friend with whom he is associated. A sweet intimate male friend from way back. Profit: $2 millions dollars in the pockets of his sweet intimate friend, off the back of retirees. Take action, SC Ethics Commission. …

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Ned January 4, 2016 at 6:22 pm

You are a filthy liar.

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Wanna Have Some Fun? December 28, 2015 at 7:25 pm

There are ways for citizens to profit off of filing federal lawsuits against these politicians who are involved in RICO ACT violations and False Claim Act violations. Any lawyer worth his salt knows.

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well-i-am into it December 28, 2015 at 8:20 pm

Saw this interesting news piece on Leatherman, Wooten, Goldfinch:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article51849540.html

Goes on to show what a waste of tax payers money it is even to trust the US attorney’s office and FBI these days to investigate and prosecute public corruption in SC. I didnt think I would live to see this day in our great country, but the 3rd world days are well and truly here and the institutions that we created to protect our citizens’ interests are no more functional at best and rotten from the inside at worst.

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exhausted in Columbia December 28, 2015 at 8:50 pm

How many times must I repeat this – Leatherman is a very very, very, very GREEDY man

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Philip Branton December 28, 2015 at 11:28 pm

Hmm……due to electronic keyword searches of documents, its even easier to hide the salami before the FOI documents are released. (Ooops………I just hit delete when I meant to hit send.) Those shredding firm trucks are actually evidence …..!

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Elfego December 29, 2015 at 12:33 pm

The so called MSM and politicians go hand in hand. They all are corrupt and should be in jail but they get those who cross them put in Jail!

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Squishy123 December 29, 2015 at 5:27 pm

Ahh such a cute photo, Leatherman who has fucked everyone in his path and Courson who wants everyone to believe that he’s a Marine (actually Marine Reserves), but doesn’t tell anyone that his combat experience ended at bootcamp and that during the Vietnam War never left the continental US. Courson wants to be thought of as a gung ho Marine, but when he puts a Marine jacket or shirt on it’s all just dress up. Marines will line up to piss on his grave when that time comes.

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