The Palmetto political universe was buzzing this week over a big story in The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier involving embattled S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell.
According to the paper, Harrell is accused of using his influence “in a marriage dispute involving the intended target of a murder-for-hire plot.”
Wait … what? Somebody get Angela Lansbury on the phone, because this sounds like a mystery we’d like to get to the bottom of …
From the report:
Both Bobby and Cathy Harrell have been named in court papers involving the divorce between Christopher and Nancy Latham.
“Cathy Harrell has said extremely derogatory statements about the defendant (Chris Latham) and has stated such things to third parties,” according to court documents filed by Chris Latham’s attorney. “Cathy Harrell further testified that Bobby Harrell ‘gave an earful’ to clients of the defendant.”
Harrell appointed Nancy Latham as treasurer to the South Carolina State Lottery Commission. And Bobby and Cathy Harrell are the Latham childrens’ godparents.
Cathy Harrell has been identified as a potential witness in the divorce proceedings.
An affidavit filed by Chris Latham alleges the Harrells intended to use their political influence in every way possible to ruin Christopher Latham’s career and influence the outcome of the divorce.
In a text message between Cathy Harrell and Nancy Latham, Cathy states, “If there is anything we and especially Bobby can do make a list and he will be done!”
Wait … a corrupt-as-hell South Carolina “Republican in Name Only” is throwing his weight around? Stop the presses …
Ready for another “shocker?” Harrell and his wife have already been absolved of any wrongdoing in the case … because that’s just how things work in the Palmetto State.
Aside from this latest abuse of power allegation, Harrell is currently staring down a criminal investigation into a host of alleged ethical lapses. In fact he’s already effectively admitted his guilt with regard to one of those lapses – returning $23,000 of the more than $325,000 in controversial reimbursements he gave himself from his campaign account.
In addition to his reimbursement scandal, Harrell also stands accused of applying improper pressure on the S.C. Pharmacy Board and the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR) regarding his pharmaceutical business. Also his political action committee is under scrutiny for allegedly misappropriating and misreporting funds.
And those are just the instances of corruption we know about …
How has Harrell responded to the scandals? First he has lied and refused to release his records. He’s also assassinated the character of one of the reporters investigating him – strong-arming her newspaper into backing down by threatening to withhold an annual $12 million bribe given by the S.C. General Assembly to the newspaper industry.
Not content with those measures, Harrell then sought to purchase the votes of his would-be jurors on the infinitely corrupt S.C. House Ethics Committee – which gained infamy last year when it whitewashed similarly egregious ethical violations committed by then-S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley.
In addition to his total lack of character, Harrell is a die-hard fiscal liberal – a big spending, tax hiking crony capitalist who is one of the primary architects of the Palmetto State’s “Lost Decade.”
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24 comments
Today’s update on this story just got juicier as the husband in the divorce case is accused of having an affair with the girl under investigation for the murder for hire plot. She also ran a porn business according to court records. One other thing I can’t figure out Rep. Harrell, is how you justified appointing a woman as Treasurer of the Lottery Commission whose only professional experience is as an artist and realtor??? Simple. She was a stay home mom/realtor whose husband made bank as a big wig at BofA, now they are divorcing and she needs a job. Bobby and Cathy to the rescue!!
And what, pray tell, are the qualifications of Paula Bethea, the Executive Director, whose salary is $289,000 a year?
Well, lobbyist for chamber of commerce, political contributor, with an undergraduate degree in English, and no graduate training in anything.
Another important qualification: being wife of lawyer and massive GOP campaign contributor and SPA board member Bill Bethea.
Today’s update on this story just got juicier as the husband in the divorce case is accused of having an affair with the girl under investigation for the murder for hire plot. She also ran a porn business according to court records. One other thing I can’t figure out Rep. Harrell, is how you justified appointing a woman as Treasurer of the Lottery Commission whose only professional experience is as an artist and realtor??? Simple. She was a stay home mom/realtor whose husband made bank as a big wig at BofA, now they are divorcing and she needs a job. Bobby and Cathy to the rescue!!
And what, pray tell, are the qualifications of Paula Bethea, the Executive Director, whose salary is $289,000 a year?
Well, lobbyist for chamber of commerce, political contributor, with an undergraduate degree in English, and no graduate training in anything.
Another important qualification: being wife of lawyer and massive GOP campaign contributor and SPA board member Bill Bethea.
low life…low life
low life…low life
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury,
Just think……is it not perfect timing to have this information “finally” come to a head right before the Congressional election..?? The judges are running for cover. We wonder how fast certain campaign account “transactions” are setup on speed text updates to Bank of America Executives..??
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury,
Just think……is it not perfect timing to have this information “finally” come to a head right before the Congressional election..?? The judges are running for cover. We wonder how fast certain campaign account “transactions” are setup on speed text updates to Bank of America Executives..??
Yeah, I’m not sure which is more disturbing, this, or Sanford’s sex trips to Argentina? Sic Willie, any idea on how much Viagra the governor took with him on these sex trips? The whole “soul mate” excuse was pretty clever, but why give someone the benefit of the doubt when on secret sex trips to South America? I don’t even want to think about T-Ravs sex trips playbook, but why not report the facts?
Yeah, I’m not sure which is more disturbing, this, or Sanford’s sex trips to Argentina? Sic Willie, any idea on how much Viagra the governor took with him on these sex trips? The whole “soul mate” excuse was pretty clever, but why give someone the benefit of the doubt when on secret sex trips to South America? I don’t even want to think about T-Ravs sex trips playbook, but why not report the facts?
From the tone of Cathy Harrell’s text it would appear that Bobbi checks his nuts in and out with his wife
All this time I thought Bobbi was just another peckerhead when in fact he is just another pussy
From the tone of Cathy Harrell’s text it would appear that Bobbi checks his nuts in and out with his wife
All this time I thought Bobbi was just another peckerhead when in fact he is just another pussy
Harrell regularly threatens employees of Charleston County — managers and department heads — to give his friends / clients / constituents land zoning variances. This article doesn’t surprise me a bit.
Harrell regularly threatens employees of Charleston County — managers and department heads — to give his friends / clients / constituents land zoning variances. This article doesn’t surprise me a bit.
i’ve got a neighbor — customer of harrell’s insurance business — says he’s terrified to change to another agent who is in his church bible study — knows harrell can get back at him — called him about this blog and he’s reading it
i’ve got a neighbor — customer of harrell’s insurance business — says he’s terrified to change to another agent who is in his church bible study — knows harrell can get back at him — called him about this blog and he’s reading it
Let hope things do not get out of hand like this clip from “Casino”…??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x_OlmtJ4vI
Let hope things do not get out of hand like this clip from “Casino”…??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x_OlmtJ4vI
Bobby Harrell has been shacking up with Nancy Latham at the Holiday Inn Charleston -Riverview for years. The staff says it’s usually at “odd hours” that “Miss Nancy” makes the reservations, pays cash in advance, and “waits for Mister Bobby upstairs.”
The room is always on the 12th floor overlooking the Ashley River.
Harrell goes straight to the elevator, eyes straight ahead, “real quick” — the staff notices and thinks it’s so funny and obvious. They know exactly who he is and who else is doing the same thing. Harrell and Latham are out within two hours and “it’s real obvious they only use the bed and “the bathroom a little bit sometimes.”
The hypocrite.
Interesting. She’s very attractive, needs shelter from the storm, gets it from Bobby.
Bobby Harrell has been shacking up with Nancy Latham at the Holiday Inn Charleston -Riverview for years. The staff says it’s usually at “odd hours” that “Miss Nancy” makes the reservations, pays cash in advance, and “waits for Mister Bobby upstairs.”
The room is always on the 12th floor overlooking the Ashley River.
Harrell goes straight to the elevator, eyes straight ahead, “real quick” — the staff notices and thinks it’s so funny and obvious. They know exactly who he is and who else is doing the same thing. Harrell and Latham are out within two hours and “it’s real obvious they only use the bed and “the bathroom a little bit sometimes.”
The hypocrite.
Interesting. She’s very attractive, needs shelter from the storm, gets it from Bobby.
Rumor is that FBI and ATF agents made a raid on Nancy Latham’s house the other Friday night. What are they covering up?? Bobby Harrell–was his house searched too?? Her brother–the murderer?? Big cover up??
Rumor is that FBI and ATF agents made a raid on Nancy Latham’s house the other Friday night. What are they covering up?? Bobby Harrell–was his house searched too?? Her brother–the murderer?? Big cover up??