News Releases

Bobby Harrell Issues Statement On Guilty Plea

S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell today issued the following statement regarding his decision to plead guilty to six of nine charges related to last month’s indictment on public corruption charges. Here is Harrell’s statement … “I have agreed to this today to end what has been a two…

S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell today issued the following statement regarding his decision to plead guilty to six of nine charges related to last month’s indictment on public corruption charges.

Here is Harrell’s statement …

“I have agreed to this today to end what has been a two year nightmare. This has been incredibly hard on my family and me, and it is time for it to end. We have a fundamental disagreement over the proper use of a campaign account to fly a private aircraft to conduct state and campaign business, but to continue to fight this would have taken at least another year, possibly two.

“Cathy and I are deeply appreciative to everyone who has offered words of encouragement and prayers on our behalf. My passion for our state remains as strong as it has ever been, and I will continue to look for ways to serve the Lowcountry and South Carolina.”

(Editor’s Note: The above communication is a statement issued by an elected official and does not necessarily reflect the editorial position of FITSNews.com. To submit your letter, news release, email blast, media advisory or issues statement for publication, click here).

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49 comments

easterndumbfuckistan October 23, 2014 at 12:02 pm

Summary: I didn’t do it, nobody saw me do it, and you can’t prove anything.

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Bill October 23, 2014 at 12:06 pm

What a load of crap. This reeks of a bad deal for the people of SC. What Prosecutor worth a damn, allows an accused criminal to walk on a charge with a slap on the wrist and without even evidencing contrition for his acts? I thought for a plea you had to at least tell the Judge you are sorry for your actions, and it won’t happen again. Look at his words. He is saying I did nothing wrong, I just want to get this over with and get on with my life.

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Time will tell October 23, 2014 at 12:16 pm

I can let it pass if the Prosecutor uses Harrell to take down at least 3 big names or 20 small ones.

If that none of that happens, I agree with your statement.

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Bill October 23, 2014 at 12:24 pm

Don’t hold your breath.

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Time will tell October 23, 2014 at 12:30 pm

Oh, I won’t…but I try to be hopeful now and then so I don’t walk around so cynical. Unfortunately, my cynicism remains most of the time…but I try anyway.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 23, 2014 at 2:24 pm

“No matter how cynical you become, it’s never enough to keep up.”

–Lily Tomlin

12 Week Deadline October 23, 2014 at 1:01 pm

If it doesn’t happen by the end of January 2015, we will know the truth that corrupt is deep in the Attorney General’s Office.

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CorruptionInColumbia October 23, 2014 at 1:13 pm

By then, Alan will be set for another four years and it will be too late. Something I just recently found out is that we DO have a choice in the Attorney General race in SC.

Parnell Diggs is running. I will vote for him because he is not connected to the Lexington Crime Ring in any way that I can discern.

http://www.parnelldiggs.com/AttorneyGeneral/

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Elfego October 23, 2014 at 1:33 pm

I do not know Parnell but I suppose he is a Democrat. A lot of the Democrats are want to blame the Republicans when everyone needs to go back and look a Operation Lost Rust. Folks this is not Party it is Politics as usual.

CorruptionInColumbia October 23, 2014 at 2:06 pm

His site doesn’t indicate a party (that I can find). I’m guessing he’s running as an independent candidate. I don’t really care about parties much anymore. Used to vote mostly (but certainly not always) Republican. In recent history, the Republicans have become so corrupt and so like the Democrats mostly were, I find myself voting less and less for them. The Democrats had control of this state in the 60’s and part of the 70’s. Their corruption was bad at that time. In the here-and-now, the Republicans are in control of this state and they are doing a horrible job, with corruption levels equaling or far exceeding what the Democrats once had, here.

Alan Wilson’s lack of action with regard to the Lexington Crime Ring, which has close ties to Papa Joe, as well as other highly visible criminal entities in the Midlands, has been quite conspicuous.

I believe it is time for a change.

John October 23, 2014 at 1:35 pm

Diggs is blind. I can’t even wrap my head around the irony that would be a blind man being responsible for policing the crooked politicians of this state.

CorruptionInColumbia October 23, 2014 at 2:08 pm

I have several friends who are blind and their perceptive abilities are often nothing short of amazing. Given that Wilson has blinders on with regard to the Lexington Crime Ring, the Columbia Crime Ring, the Lott Family, and other like enterprises, I don’t believe that Mr Diggs could do any worse of a job.

x + y + z = ? October 23, 2014 at 6:25 pm

Wilson walks with a seeing eye dog. After this plea deal, not many left have any faith in him. He is not cut out for the job. Corruption and money won today. In a real court of law, Harrell would have been put in restrains and led away to do time behind bars.

Bye Bye Bobby October 23, 2014 at 4:28 pm

You may wish to get hold of a transcript of his plea.He SPECIFICALLY admitted that he was GUILTY of all that he pleaded guilty to.

Anybody AFTER THE FACT can issue as self serving statement.

Doesn’t surprise me.You expected anything else?

Reply
Nikki Haley's Ben Wa Balls October 23, 2014 at 12:08 pm

“Hey, us Republican are really bad with the maths.”

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CorruptionInColumbia October 23, 2014 at 12:26 pm

So that’s what that clacking sound is when she is interviewed on video?

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CorruptionInColumbia October 23, 2014 at 12:15 pm

“My passion for our state remains as strong as it has ever been, and I will continue to look for ways to serve the Lowcountry and South Carolina.”

My passion for our state remains as strong as it has ever been, and I will continue to look for ways to SCREW the Lowcountry and South Carolina.

There, fixed it for you.

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Can't kill the good ole boys October 23, 2014 at 12:18 pm

99% likely that he finds a way to “serve”, meaning riding the taxpayer gravy train through another legal entity, whether it’s his insurance business or some other new “startup”.

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CorruptionInColumbia October 23, 2014 at 12:46 pm

He wants “to serve man”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI_qjFtkE64

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Can't kill the good ole boys October 23, 2014 at 2:28 pm

Ha! Very nicely done.

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The Colonel October 23, 2014 at 12:20 pm

What will be interesting to see is if he can stay in business as an insurance broker. Maybe he’ll fail and slink away to Gawga or NorthKlina

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Philip Branton October 23, 2014 at 1:08 pm

Like a good donor neighbor ……..State Farm is …..there for ya..!!

+ 25 points and wind and hail policy discount…….

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 23, 2014 at 12:23 pm

“I have agreed to this today to end what has been a two year nightmare. This has been incredibly hard on my family and me, and it is time for it to end. We have a fundamental disagreement over the proper use of a campaign account to fly a private aircraft to conduct state and campaign business, but to continue to fight this would have taken at least another year, possibly two.

“Cathy and I are deeply appreciative to everyone who has offered words of encouragement and prayers on our behalf. My passion for our state remains as strong as it has ever been, and I will continue to look for ways to serve the Lowcountry and South Carolina.”

Insta-translation:
“My lawyer said if I didn’t plea…I would likely go to prison.”

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Amicus October 23, 2014 at 2:07 pm

“My lawyer said if I didn’t plea . . I would be indicted by the fed’s and then go to prison for a mandatory minimum of years based on the amount of money I misappropriated.”

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 23, 2014 at 2:40 pm

TBG was just trying to be brief, Amicus.

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x + y + z = ? October 23, 2014 at 6:20 pm

There is no double jeopardy. He can still be charged and prosecuted in US District Court. And by all means, the public at large wants him in prison. If the public forces it, it will be done.

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Waldo October 24, 2014 at 7:19 am

Doesn’t all that money he has to pay back become unreported income?

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shifty henry October 23, 2014 at 12:29 pm

Translation: “I’m still slicker and slimier than whale shit!”

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Philip Branton October 23, 2014 at 1:07 pm

Spoken like Jon Stewart…..

+25 points and a Comedy Central t-shirt…….

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 23, 2014 at 12:34 pm

They should get Z-TAC a 25 year old head shot of him and a 15 year old head shot of her and let him do his Photoshop magic.

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Tunes'n'News October 23, 2014 at 12:43 pm

“I don’t feel tardy.”

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Guest October 23, 2014 at 12:54 pm

What an asshole. How about: “I want to apologize to the people of South Carolina. You elected me to office because you trusted me – and I violated that trust. I’m sorry. I’ve caused embarrassment to our state and I regret that.” And Cathy? I bet she just wants to get back to the Lowcountry and pour a vodka & tonic.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 23, 2014 at 2:22 pm

I bet she just wants to get back to the Lowcountry and pour a vodka & tonic.

[Wistfully]
So would TBG….so would TBG.

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Vodka? October 23, 2014 at 2:23 pm

Why not gin? Try Bombay Sapphire & a good tonic, you’ll change your mind.

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Guest October 23, 2014 at 3:34 pm

I definitely like gin. … love Bombay Sapphire. But I think Cathy likes vodka at night. At least that’s what I’ve observed.

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Soaring Eagle October 23, 2014 at 12:57 pm

Harrell = fucked up sick in the head power freak psychopath. God damn him.

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Soaring Eagle October 23, 2014 at 12:59 pm

” I will continue to look for ways to screw people over and put other people’s money in my pocket” —- Bobby Harrell.

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Tunes'n'News October 23, 2014 at 1:04 pm

No contrition. No apology. No acknowledgement. Piece of work, he is.

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Bible Thumper October 23, 2014 at 1:11 pm

I suppose Harrell will get state retirement and health benefits.

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Philip Branton October 23, 2014 at 1:23 pm

Boomerang 806……..

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Yelsewh October 23, 2014 at 1:25 pm

I can’t believe a judge would accept his plea agreement in light of a statement like this one.

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Elfego October 23, 2014 at 1:31 pm

The same judge tried to remove Harrell’s case from the Court System. I will bet nothing will be done about the Vote trading and the Black Caucus for Queen Jean and the other Judges appointment. Folks there are no difference when it comes to dealing in the Twp Party’s in South Carolina.

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RHood2 October 23, 2014 at 1:32 pm

Wow. Let me rewrite the semantic content of that statement, and boil it down.
“Fuck y’all. Fuck ALL y’all. I didn’t do it. But whatever. Did I mention ‘Fuck y’all’?”

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Santiago Ledbetter October 23, 2014 at 7:33 pm

This.

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Teddy October 23, 2014 at 2:08 pm

Let’s get real here, there are a lot worse things going on in SC than someone misusing a campaign account. Keep in mind that we’re not talking about public money.

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Yelsewh October 24, 2014 at 8:57 am

And Bobby Harrell has probably done far worse things but this was the one thing that got him removed from office.

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birds of a feather October 23, 2014 at 3:35 pm

So Bobby’s alot like Will: he didn’t really do it, he just stood up in court, swore to tell the truth and then lied just to get it all behind him.

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Calhoun October 23, 2014 at 3:36 pm

Will needs to go back to his archives and find every story about a SC scandal that has never been resolved and repost. The investigators are probably looking at this site and could benefit from this historical perspective Fits offers.

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Lindsey Michelle October 25, 2014 at 9:29 am

He really is clueless. All the evidence in the world against him and he still wants us to believe he did nothing wrong. What’s going to be a hoot in his fall from grace is that he gets no special treatment from his probation officer. He won’t get snuck in through a special entrance, won’t be given preference in getting his name called, and has to answer all the same stupid human questions as anyone else. What will bd most humiliating for him is that he has to wait in thd same waiting area as the drug pushers and gang bangers, and has to be drug tested in the same manner as them, too, as in observed peeing in a cup by some government peon. Maybe after a few office visits, the message will sink in that he screwed up and he no longer is calling any shots. Unlike an attorney who gets convicted, though, he did not lose his livlihood.

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