SC

SC Chief Justice Race: Improper Pressure

Former S.C. Rep. George Hearn (RINO-Conway, S.C.) is pressuring lawmakers from the Pee Dee region of South Carolina to support the reelection bid of S.C. chief justice Jean Toal, multiple sources have confirmed to FITS. Hearn is reportedly telling lawmakers that he is acting on behalf of his wife –…

Former S.C. Rep. George Hearn (RINO-Conway, S.C.) is pressuring lawmakers from the Pee Dee region of South Carolina to support the reelection bid of S.C. chief justice Jean Toal, multiple sources have confirmed to FITS.

Hearn is reportedly telling lawmakers that he is acting on behalf of his wife – Supreme Court justice Kaye Hearn, who is one of Toal’s closest allies on the state’s corrupt high court.

Hearn, incidentally, was chairman of the S.C. Bar Exam committee during the infamous 2007 “bar exam scam,” in which Toal’s court arbitrarily threw out an entire section of the test in an effort to artificially inflate the passage rate of the struggling Charleston School of Law (CSOL).

In addition to Hearn’s advocacy, sources tell FITS justice Donald W. Beatty – another Democrat elected by the state’s “Republican-controlled” S.C. General Assembly – has pledged to secure votes for Toal from the S.C. Legislative Black Caucus.

As FITS exclusively reported earlier this year, Toal backed out of her promise not to seek another term as chief justice – infuriating her fellow justice Costa Pleicones, who had been promised a stint as chief justice prior to his forthcoming retirement.

Pleicones has responded to Toal’s deception by running against her for the chief justice’s seat.

A hearing on the qualifications of both justices will be held in November.

As we’ve noted on numerous prior occasions, the process of selecting judges in South Carolina is even more corrupt that the courts themselves. Judges – from magistrates on up – should be selected by gubernatorial appointment, not legislative election.

“Judges should be appointed by the state’s chief executive – period,” we wrote recently. “And they should be allowed to serve as long as they want … barring some demonstrated incapacitation. Otherwise we end up with an endless cycle of favor-trading.”

Like the favor-trading that’s going on right now as Toal and Pleicones seek to curry favor with lawmakers …

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38 comments

GreenvilleLwyr August 14, 2013 at 1:32 pm

What a shitstorm. Even if Pleicones wins, the Court and judicial system lose.

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GreenvilleLwyr August 14, 2013 at 1:32 pm

What a shitstorm. Even if Pleicones wins, the Court and judicial system lose.

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CL August 14, 2013 at 1:40 pm

At least we do not have judicial elections. I have heard Pleicones say that merit selection is the best of a bunch of bad mechanisms for selecting judges. I wonder if he would still stand by that position?

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CL August 14, 2013 at 1:40 pm

At least we do not have judicial elections. I have heard Pleicones say that merit selection is the best of a bunch of bad mechanisms for selecting judges. I wonder if he would still stand by that position?

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Crooner August 14, 2013 at 1:58 pm

Sic: What about “advise and consent” to the executive’s choice?

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Crooner August 14, 2013 at 1:58 pm

Sic: What about “advise and consent” to the executive’s choice?

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IMMAHANGUPPENLISSEN August 14, 2013 at 2:03 pm

A judge should be honest, respectful of peers and fair. Which of these two judicial candidates undeniably lied to the other about their intent to run for Chief Justice? Only Jean Toal. In this state though, it would be fitting to have the head of the judicial system be an unabashed liar.

On the topic of the Hearns, it was nice of George to get elected to the SC House only so long as to help his wife secure the needed votes from his Republican colleagues to be elected to the Supreme Court. Our entire state government is a fucking joke.

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IMMAHANGUPPENLISSEN August 14, 2013 at 2:03 pm

A judge should be honest, respectful of peers and fair. Which of these two judicial candidates undeniably lied to the other about their intent to run for Chief Justice? Only Jean Toal. In this state though, it would be fitting to have the head of the judicial system be an unabashed liar.

On the topic of the Hearns, it was nice of George to get elected to the SC House only so long as to help his wife secure the needed votes from his Republican colleagues to be elected to the Supreme Court. Our entire state government is a fucking joke.

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South of Broad Daze August 14, 2013 at 2:20 pm

The guv appointing the Supreme Court? wow, GOP tyranny in SC would then extend to the judiciary. Your head has been in ladies’s high heels and lingerie too long. You’re losing your objectivity.

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South of Broad Daze August 14, 2013 at 2:20 pm

The guv appointing the Supreme Court? wow, GOP tyranny in SC would then extend to the judiciary. Your head has been in ladies’s high heels and lingerie too long. You’re losing your objectivity.

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thereallizardman August 14, 2013 at 2:36 pm

Yeah, if the Governor could appoint judges we’d have no favor-trading whatsoever. Just ask Catherine Templeton, Tom Cofield, Lillian Koller, Tim Scott, and so on and so forth. You are an idiot some days. Others you are completely fucking retarded.

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thereallizardman August 14, 2013 at 2:36 pm

Yeah, if the Governor could appoint judges we’d have no favor-trading whatsoever. Just ask Catherine Templeton, Tom Cofield, Lillian Koller, Tim Scott, and so on and so forth. You are an idiot some days. Others you are completely fucking retarded.

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Truth seeker August 14, 2013 at 2:41 pm

Will there be a list of legislators who votes for that corrupt Jean Toal that the public could see so the voting public will know who to vote against come election time?

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Dan on Divine August 14, 2013 at 9:45 pm

Start with Columbia’s James Smith. That arrogant smug ass is supporting Toal as one of her House leaders. Time to recruit an honest man for that seat.

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camden guy August 14, 2013 at 10:53 pm

Smith is a fraud if ever there was one. Playing that old time Democratic Party 1930’s BS. Let him support Toal and he’s out of here

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Truth seeker August 14, 2013 at 2:41 pm

Will there be a list of legislators who votes for that corrupt Jean Toal that the public could see so the voting public will know who to vote against come election time?

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Dan on Divine August 14, 2013 at 9:45 pm

Start with Columbia’s James Smith. That arrogant smug ass is supporting Toal as one of her House leaders. Time to recruit an honest man for that seat.

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camden guy August 14, 2013 at 10:53 pm

Smith is a fraud if ever there was one. Playing that old time Democratic Party 1930’s BS. Let him support Toal and he’s out of here

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Really curious August 14, 2013 at 2:59 pm

“Toal’s court arbitrarily threw out an entire section of the test in an effort to artificially inflate the passage rate of the struggling Charleston School of Law (CSOL).”
I can’t figure out why the SC Supreme Court would want to “artificially inflate” the bar passage rate of CSOL grads. What makes you think that was the reason the Court disregarded its own rule, rather than a desire to artificially inflate the passage rate of a couple of well-connected kids who needed a boost?

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Really curious August 14, 2013 at 2:59 pm

“Toal’s court arbitrarily threw out an entire section of the test in an effort to artificially inflate the passage rate of the struggling Charleston School of Law (CSOL).”
I can’t figure out why the SC Supreme Court would want to “artificially inflate” the bar passage rate of CSOL grads. What makes you think that was the reason the Court disregarded its own rule, rather than a desire to artificially inflate the passage rate of a couple of well-connected kids who needed a boost?

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Longleaf August 14, 2013 at 3:12 pm

I am here to tell you, in my schooled and experienced opinion Toal needs to go!
There is no doubt, in my opinion, Toal is corrupt and corruptable. No doubt in my mind Toal has influenced Judges in cases where she had friends, and or family.
The Highest Court needs integrity and honesty she absolutely CANNOT provide!
I also have NO doubt she will do ANYHING to be re-elected and maintain her control!

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William August 14, 2013 at 5:15 pm

What is your schooling and experience?

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Longleaf August 14, 2013 at 3:12 pm

I am here to tell you, in my schooled and experienced opinion Toal needs to go!
There is no doubt, in my opinion, Toal is corrupt and corruptable. No doubt in my mind Toal has influenced Judges in cases where she had friends, and or family.
The Highest Court needs integrity and honesty she absolutely CANNOT provide!
I also have NO doubt she will do ANYHING to be re-elected and maintain her control!

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William August 14, 2013 at 5:15 pm

What is your schooling and experience?

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Ed August 14, 2013 at 6:15 pm

What happened to the investigation of George Hearn and those illegal campaign contributions? Ah!!! Toal is in charge of the investigation on behalf of attorney discipline. Guess we know who owns the Hearn family.

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Ed August 14, 2013 at 6:15 pm

What happened to the investigation of George Hearn and those illegal campaign contributions? Ah!!! Toal is in charge of the investigation on behalf of attorney discipline. Guess we know who owns the Hearn family.

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Fastmouth August 14, 2013 at 8:12 pm

Shouldn’t the justices, circuit court judges, family court judges, and even magistrates have to run for their respective office? I remember when magistrates used to run for office just like the clerk of court, probate judge, etc.

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Big Daddy August 14, 2013 at 8:12 pm

Shouldn’t the justices, circuit court judges, family court judges, and even magistrates have to run for their respective office? I remember when magistrates used to run for office just like the clerk of court, probate judge, etc.

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Elfego August 14, 2013 at 9:21 pm

Darn,its good old girls now!

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Elfego August 14, 2013 at 9:21 pm

Darn,its good old girls now!

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Guest August 14, 2013 at 11:30 pm

This lobbying bears all the artfulness we’ve come to expect from the Hearns. It’s a transparent attempt to order the “succession” so that Kaye can become Chief Justice. Keep it classy, George.

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Sims Alley August 15, 2013 at 8:05 am

Kaye’s first husband called in and said told you so.

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A Classmate August 15, 2013 at 8:18 pm

We’ve been wondering when Kaye was going to write an opinion on adultery.

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Guest August 14, 2013 at 11:30 pm

This lobbying bears all the artfulness we’ve come to expect from the Hearns. It’s a transparent attempt to order the “succession” so that Kaye can become Chief Justice. Keep it classy, George.

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Sims Alley August 15, 2013 at 8:05 am

Kaye’s first husband called in and said told you so.

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A Classmate August 15, 2013 at 8:18 pm

We’ve been wondering when Kaye was going to write an opinion on adultery.

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Gene August 15, 2013 at 6:52 pm

Where are all the Toalites? Generally, one or two will add something trite like oh she’s so smart and all that. Not this time.

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Gene August 15, 2013 at 6:52 pm

Where are all the Toalites? Generally, one or two will add something trite like oh she’s so smart and all that. Not this time.

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