Ethics Panel Clears Haley

Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

South Carolina’s House ethics committee cleared Gov. Nikki Haley of any wrongdoing Wednesday, reports the AP. A panel voted 5-1 to clear Haley of charges that she violated ethics laws while in the state House. One Democrat on the panel voted not to dismiss the charges. Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey praised the decision:

“We commend the House for doing its job seriously and professionally. Once again, we’ve seen another in a long line of made-up nonsense claims against Governor Haley found to be meritless.”

Background, via the AP:

The complaint stemmed from a lawsuit by long-time Republican activist and former Board of Economic Advisors Chairman John Rainey, accusing the Republican governor of violating ethics rules. A Circuit Court judge dismissed the lawsuit in March, saying such issues should be handled by either state ethics officials or a legislative panel.

Under state law, the House Ethics Committee handles complaints of current and former House members.

Rainey’s lawsuit and subsequent complaint to the ethics committee centered on Haley’s jobs as a fundraiser for Lexington Medical Center and as a consultant for an engineering firm with state contracts while she was a state representative. It also asked whether it was illegal for Haley to seek tens of thousands of dollars from lobbyists for the hospital’s foundation while legislators were in session and had issues before her subcommittee.

 Haley, a Romney supporter and surrogate, is likely a VP contender as well.

Latest Livewire
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: