South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley should have fired the director of her colossally mismanaged probation, parole and pardon agency a long time ago. How come? Because Kela Thomas – who was appointed by Haley in 2011 to run the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) – is an active opponent of Haley’s proposed consolidation of South Carolina’s correctional agencies (a reform we support).
In other words Thomas – a highly visible supporter of U.S. President Barack Obama – is deliberately defying the woman who is supposed to be her boss.
For reasons surpassing understanding, though, Haley let that indiscretion slide. Her administration has also refused to investigate allegations of discriminatory hiring at Thomas’ agency – including the promotion of a black lieutenant who had previously engaged in inappropriate relationships with some of his female probationers.
Most recently, Haley has permitted Thomas to remain at her post following the release of a damning legislative audit of SCDPPPS – one which revealed $4 million in missing money (out of a total agency budget of roughly $50 million).
“The Governor is giving Thomas a free pass on the audit findings,” one source at the agency tells FITS.
Astounding … especially from an administration which promised “accountability and transparency” in government.
Of course because Kela Thomas is a black female, her defiance, discrimination and incompetence has generated absolutely no outrage among South Carolina Democrats or the state’s left-leaning mainstream media.
S.C. Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) – who is also vowing “accountability and transparency” in government – hasn’t mentioned the scandal in his litany of anti-Haley bullet points.
Anyway … Thomas’ latest questionable move? Using state resources to promote a fundraiser for the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) – a “blacks-only” group looking to raise some money off of Thomas’ employees.
In fact here’s the poster Thomas’ had placed in her downtown Columbia, S.C. headquarters …
(Click to enlarge)
Wow …
“Hosting an ‘All White Party?'” one incredulous SCDPPPS staffer lamented to FITS. “No matter how they dress it up (with the cartoon people all wearing white clothes), it is at best inappropriate and at worst incredibly offensive. But then it comes as no surprise it would be endorsed by Thomas. Can you imagine the backlash if a fraternity or sorority at Clemson tried to use a racially based play on words to name a party?”
Indeed … it would be a national feeding frenzy. Sort of like the story we broke back in 2010 when a powerful “Republican” leader in South Carolina showed up at a party in a Confederate uniform with his “slaves” in tow.
As “cops and courts” libertarians, this website supports government management of probation, parole and pardon services. In fact we believe the efficient administration of these functions is a core responsibility of government – part of its obligation to protect life, liberty and property. We also commend Haley for proposing to consolidate these functions in South Carolina so as to better serve this state’s impoverished, over-taxed citizenry.
But once again, Haley is proving she is “all talk …”
Kela Thomas is defying Haley on restructuring, engaging in racist hiring, promoting “blacks only” groups at taxpayer expense and – most importantly – wasting millions of our tax dollars in the process. The governor must remove her from this $93,000-a-year (not counting benefits) position immediately – and “Republicans” and Democrats in the S.C. General Assembly (especially leaders in the S.C. Black Caucus) must get off their backsides and launch an investigation into this missing $4 million.
30 comments
Governor Haley you are loosing votes you need, I promise you that!
She aint lost yours Bubba as long as shes got that “R” after her name!
You Republicans and your “threats”
This Bubba is not a Republican although I am forced to vote that way because a vote for a Democrat is like voting for the Devil himself sister!
Governor Haley you are loosing votes you need, I promise you that!
She aint lost yours Bubba as long as shes got that “R” after her name!
You Republicans and your “threats”
This Bubba is not a Republican although I am forced to vote that way because a vote for a Democrat is like voting for the Devil himself sister!
If Gov Haley held this woman accountable, she’d be labeled a racist. Case closed.
When in command, Command- Admiral Chet Nimitz
If Gov Haley held this woman accountable, she’d be labeled a racist. Case closed.
When in command, Command- Admiral Chet Nimitz
Hey, she had the KKK on staff, why not the NAACPPPP. Anyone but the taxpayers is the mantra.
Hey, she had the KKK on staff, why not the NAACPPPP. Anyone but the taxpayers is the mantra.
Is she a member of Jack and Jill?
Doesn’t look like she’d pass the paper bag test.
Is she a member of Jack and Jill?
Doesn’t look like she’d pass the paper bag test.
Just like the white people of Williamsburg county learned last week when they lost their bid to change from an elected supervisor form of county government to a council/hired professional administrator system, you cut your own throat when you make EVERYTHING racial, when you could and should be focusing on corruption, lack of ethics, and violations of state policies.
WHY have you and the real journalists in the state not demanded to know from Haley what she thinks of the results of the audit and what she is going to do to insure the recommended changes are implemented?
Put the bitch – Haley, that is – on the hot seat about her own ineptitude in NOT knowing what was going on at one of her cabinet agencies – AGAIN…just like SCDOR, SCDOT, etc.
Just like the white people of Williamsburg county learned last week when they lost their bid to change from an elected supervisor form of county government to a council/hired professional administrator system, you cut your own throat when you make EVERYTHING racial, when you could and should be focusing on corruption, lack of ethics, and violations of state policies.
WHY have you and the real journalists in the state not demanded to know from Haley what she thinks of the results of the audit and what she is going to do to insure the recommended changes are implemented?
Put the bitch – Haley, that is – on the hot seat about her own ineptitude in NOT knowing what was going on at one of her cabinet agencies – AGAIN…just like SCDOR, SCDOT, etc.
There are no statues of limitations on the felonies that probation/parole agents and agents in charge of county offices have committed. Just ask Glenn McConnell … he knows about them.
There are no statues of limitations on the felonies that probation/parole agents and agents in charge of county offices have committed. Just ask Glenn McConnell … he knows about them.
An “All White Party” and a PINK Glove Dance. Have the folks over at LMC put this exciting new fundraising possibility together yet? Sounds like Nikki has another knockout proposal on the way!
An “All White Party” and a PINK Glove Dance. Have the folks over at LMC put this exciting new fundraising possibility together yet? Sounds like Nikki has another knockout proposal on the way!
As someone who works close with probation I am very disappointed nothing was done about this. Public safety has taken a back seat with this director and she needs to go.
As someone who works close with probation I am very disappointed nothing was done about this. Public safety has taken a back seat with this director and she needs to go.
In this state if you are black you won’t be reprimanded or fired because they hold this whole racism thing over our heads. They can be, incompetent, ignorant or just completely bad at thier job but, SC politians won’t touch it out of fear…so they just keep these idiots in thier positions because the color of thier skin. I am not a racist but, when I see a black person not get demoted or fired for something a white person would be demoted or fired over…that is almost the definition of racism. SC is racist.. toward the white people. Frankly, I am tired of it. I am white and i have plenty of close black friends. But, this whole “you’re treating me bad because your a racist” is getting old. At this day an age we are all equal under the law and should be treated as so. Lets quit letting our fear of the NAACP control our businesses and government.
In this state if you are black you won’t be reprimanded or fired because they hold this whole racism thing over our heads. They can be, incompetent, ignorant or just completely bad at thier job but, SC politians won’t touch it out of fear…so they just keep these idiots in thier positions because the color of thier skin. I am not a racist but, when I see a black person not get demoted or fired for something a white person would be demoted or fired over…that is almost the definition of racism. SC is racist.. toward the white people. Frankly, I am tired of it. I am white and i have plenty of close black friends. But, this whole “you’re treating me bad because your a racist” is getting old. At this day an age we are all equal under the law and should be treated as so. Lets quit letting our fear of the NAACP control our businesses and government.
An all white party is actually a party where party goers generally wear white linen and that is all. Fits you obviously have no friends that are black. This is nothing unusual or any hidden messages or play on words that should offend anyone. I’m sure if a white person wanted to come to the all white party wearing all white they might have a good time networking and enjoying some line dance music. But you probably wouldn’t come since it is Blacks in Criminal Justice. I sure there are a lot of whites who attend the Black Caucus banquets and parties.
Do you have any awareness that you are NOT allowed to use state agency funds for private fundraisers? It is illegal. I’m bout sic of people that can’t read.
An all white party is actually a party where party goers generally wear white linen and that is all. Fits you obviously have no friends that are black. This is nothing unusual or any hidden messages or play on words that should offend anyone. I’m sure if a white person wanted to come to the all white party wearing all white they might have a good time networking and enjoying some line dance music. But you probably wouldn’t come since it is Blacks in Criminal Justice. I sure there are a lot of whites who attend the Black Caucus banquets and parties.
Do you have any awareness that you are NOT allowed to use state agency funds for private fundraisers? It is illegal. I’m bout sic of people that can’t read.