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by WILL FOLKS
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South Carolina first circuit solicitor David Pascoe – one of the leading candidates for attorney general of the Palmetto State – vowed this week to launch an investigation into alleged trial lawyer corruption at the S.C. State House if he is elected this fall.
During an event in Myrtle Beach, S.C. this Wednesday evening (February 4, 2026), Pascoe invoked the brazen pay-to-play corruption articulated last year on the floor of the State Senate by freshman senator Tom Fernandez.
According to Fernandez, he was offered big money from the trial lawyer lobby if he voted against S.244 – a comprehensive tort reform bill advanced by S.C. Senate majority leader Shane Massey. This legislation would have restricted trial lawyers’ ability to continuing reaping untold profits from the Palmetto State’s corrupt, unaccountable and anti-competitive tort climate.
Would have…
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Fernandez ultimately did vote against the bill… and was joined by several other so-called “Republican” senators in opposing it including Stephen Goldfinch (who is running against Pascoe for attorney general), Carlisle Kennedy, Jason Elliott, Matt Leber and Michael Gambrell.
Before they cast their votes, though – and before their campaign coffers were filled with trial lawyer money – Fernandez made the mistake of disclosing this corrupt quid pro quo publicly.
“The trial lawyer lobby has offered me campaign fundraisers in the amount of $50,000 to $100,000 per campaign if I voted against this,” Fernandez said, adding he was saying “the quiet part out loud.”
Take a look…
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Once again, “the quiet part out loud.” South Carolina’s trial lawyer lobby effectively bribing state lawmakers… did it work? Stay tuned for an updated report… #SCStatehouse pic.twitter.com/MBzYSTtPFr
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) September 2, 2025
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Of interest, “per campaign” could have referred either to multiple election cycles – or multiple elections within the same cycle (partisan primaries, partisan runoffs and general elections). Or both.
What was Fernandez referring to?
We don’t know… because the Senate abruptly shut down debate in the aftermath of his bombshell.
“We had a state senator stand up last year… and literally say that he was offered between $50,000 and $100,000 from the trial lawyers for his campaign account if he would vote against tort reform,” Pascoe said in Myrtle Beach this week, referencing Fernandez’s admission. “Is there anybody here that does not think that’s a crime?”
“Yes it is!” one attendee responded as the audience cheered.
“Which way did he vote?” another asked.
“Against tort reform,” Pascoe responded.
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?#Crossroads2026?? S.C. solicitor and attorney general candidate @DavidPascoeSC says he will investigate trial lawyer corruption at the S.C. State House on "day one," adding SLED will "interview every senator" regarding alleged misconduct. ??? (? via @MyrtleBeachesSC) pic.twitter.com/Q7tvHOTYN0
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) February 5, 2026
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“Here’s what gets worse – after he said that, the president of the Senate goes apoplectic,” Pascoe continued. “It took him a minute to finally get a sentence out – and the sentence he finally got out was ‘the Senate will be adjourned.’ They go back to their offices for two hours, come back – and act like nothing happened.”
FITSNews reported on Fernandez’s allegation at the time, calling it “deathly serious” – and deserving of an “immediate, thorough investigation.” Specifically, we called for “a completely independent criminal inquiry complete with subpoena power over phone records, text messages, emails, trial lawyer group chats/listservs and other relevant materials.”
“Allegations like this are precisely why the Palmetto State needs a dedicated, robust public corruption unit focused on rooting out bribes, kickbacks, payoffs and related malfeasance in public office,” we noted.
According to Pascoe, he is committed to launching precisely such an inquiry in cooperation with the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
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RELATED | S.C. TRUCKERS SOUND THE ALARM ON LAWSUIT ABUSE
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“When I’m your attorney general, there is no statute of limitations on misconduct in office,” Pascoe said. “When I’m your attorney general, on day one SLED will go interview every senator and find out what (Fernandez) was talking about.”
Frankly, such an investigation should have been launched months ago.
“Do you see why they tried to keep me off the ballot?” Pascoe added, referring to recent efforts by the GOP establishment in Columbia to rig this spring’s partisan primary races.
“The good ole boys of the Democratic and the good ole boys of the Republican Party, the establishment, know what’s coming when I’m your attorney general,” he said.
That’s encouraging rhetoric, although FITSNews has previously noted how Pascoe has received plenty of campaign contributions from the trial lawyer lobby himself.
Keep it tuned to FITSNews for any new developments on this front, and count on us to hold Pascoe accountable to his promise in the event he is elected attorney general this November.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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6 comments
Then me must vow to investigate and prosecute in the Court of General Sessions even present and former Circuit Court, Family Court and Magistrate court judges, too.
In my opinion, he is blowing smoke.
Probably should bring in the FBI for “Lost Trust” 2.0. Waaaaayyyyy overdue
David would absolutely root out corruption, he tried to once and was stymied by the current AG. I have researched several other high profile cases he worked on. One in particular was the former chief of police in Greenville, Ken Miller, who was appointed by a majority democrat city council. Please google Miller and read the thorough analysis he provided that led to the resignation of Miller. He absolutely doesn’t see political parties when he attacks corruption. Why do you think he was blocked by Graham and Clyburn when he was floated as US Attorney.
I would be OK with Pascoe as AG, but I think I prefer Stumbo, who has more of a serious, head-down-in-the-trenches demeanor and track record. He just quietly gets things done- aggressively but fairly- and meticulously follows the law. I feel like Pascoe is gonna be a bit too much of a grand stander and looking to have lots of overblown verbal battles that get in the headlines but don’t really amount to much. But I do think he’s honest, hard- working, and ethical.
Then he better investigate every bill. Because the point being made is that this is commonplace with special interest groups. If there is wrongdoing, by all means root it out. But pull all the roots, not just those of the plants you don’t like.
If he starts on “day one” and continues until all of the current lawyers who bear investigation are investigated, he should be finished sometime in 2132.