SC

Alan Wilson Playing Politics With State House Probe

ATTORNEY GENERAL SEEKS TO LIMIT SCOPE OF INQUIRY … AIDING AND ABETTING HIS POLITICAL ALLIES S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson‘s office has sent a lengthy memorandum to first district solicitor David Pascoe outlining its views on the ongoing probe of public corruption at the S.C. State House. Wilson, of course, abdicated his…

ATTORNEY GENERAL SEEKS TO LIMIT SCOPE OF INQUIRY … AIDING AND ABETTING HIS POLITICAL ALLIES

S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson‘s office has sent a lengthy memorandum to first district solicitor David Pascoe outlining its views on the ongoing probe of public corruption at the S.C. State House.

Wilson, of course, abdicated his responsibility on this matter months ago … ostensibly leaving prosecutorial authority to Pascoe.

But now a memo – dated December 11 (.pdf here) – seeks to guide Pascoe’s decision-making regarding whether to prosecute certain elected officials.  Of interest?  Several of the elected officials potentially impacted by the opinion are – like Wilson – closely linked to the neo-Confederate political consulting empire of Richard Quinn and Associates.

Interesting … so Wilson recused himself from this “probe” months ago because of potential conflicts related to prosecutorial decision-making (conflicts he never disclosed, by the way), yet here he is weighing in on prosecutorial decision-making?

Shady …

Specifically, Pascoe asked Wilson whether members of the S.C. General Assembly were permitted to “pay for campaign services performed by a business in which the Member or a member of the Member’s family has an economic interest.”

This is all about the Quinn firm – which is run by the father of former “Republican” majority leader Rick Quinn.

According to Wilson, such arrangements are permissible.

“Of course the Quinn-controlled attorney general’s office would say it isn’t a violation,” one critic of the ruling told us.  “This proves that (Wilson) has a massive conflict of interest.

Wilson also concluded it is perfectly legal for House “majority” leaders to “hire and pay a business in which the majority leader has an economic interest.”

Again, how convenient …

Wilson is giving – or rather attempting to give – his political allies a blank check to conduct business as usual in the Palmetto State.

“This is why attorney general opinions are non-binding,” another critic of Wilson’s noted.  “Because they are bullsh*t.”

We are hard-pressed to disagree.

We praised Wilson early-on during the probe because we felt he was taking a principled stand against public corruption.  Back in April, though, we criticized Wilson for donning the “white hat” – but then failing to follow through.

Now his lack of motion on the issue strikes us as something more sinister …

The probe” – exclusively unearthed by this website last September – brought down powerful former S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell last fall.  Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly clear Harrell’s downfall was more about clearing a path for other corrupt state leaders.

“This is really disgusting,” a source familiar with the probe told us.  “And seems to confirm what I suspected from the (beginning).  The Quinns masterminded this to get rid of Harrell.”

Sad.

Wilson’s job is to prosecute corrupt leaders … not make excuses for them.  Sadly, he seems to think his allegiance is to a consulting firm, not the people who elected him.  For shame.

UPDATE: Looks like we’re not the only ones following this story.

***

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25 comments

jimlewisowb December 16, 2015 at 1:54 pm Reply
TroubleBaby December 16, 2015 at 2:22 pm

One of Wilson’s lynch pins in his argument for his buddies: that being a member of the House Legislative Caucus isn’t an “official office”.

Here’s a list of one of the Caucus’s:

http://schousegop.org/members/

Is there a member there who isn’t holding an “official office”?

Alan Wilson is a douchebag.

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Columbia Insider December 16, 2015 at 2:52 pm

It’s linchpin, one word, no “y.” And in the context used by you, it’s singular, not plural.

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TroubleBaby December 16, 2015 at 2:58 pm

corrected- thank you

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The Buzzman December 16, 2015 at 11:22 pm

Deja vu, anyone?

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TroubleBaby December 17, 2015 at 7:34 am

lol, did someone else make the same mistake on “linchpin”?

Manray9 December 16, 2015 at 2:36 pm

It’s not that holders of public office in South Carolina meet the lowest possible standards, it’s that there are no standards. It’s impossible to possess anything lower than zero.

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TroubleBaby December 16, 2015 at 3:06 pm

It’s even sadder that they themselves get to decide what the ethics standards “are”.

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pogo December 16, 2015 at 2:38 pm

Did someone say PROBE? Me first!!!

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Jack's suspicious toe December 16, 2015 at 2:38 pm

I’m not claiming nothing shady is going on, but if all we are talking about is paying a consulting firm for consulting work, then you’re just score settling.

I would gladly pay my family firm to do that work if they were legitimately one of the best in the state Like them or not, they are considered capable.

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TroubleBaby December 16, 2015 at 2:47 pm

Finding moral ground when working for an immoral organization(gov’t) is difficult, but in this case it seems like even if you’re family’s firm is the “best” in any given arena, it would simply make sense to use the 2nd best firm if nothing else but to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

I seem to remember that can be an actual legal standard under certain situations from time to time. But I’m not an attorney, maybe someone else can chime in who is.

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nitrat December 16, 2015 at 6:25 pm

I’m not going to dig it up. But, there is a SC law about any public official/employee and personal and/family financial gain as a result of the government employment being illegal.
Wasn’t there a Low Country legislator who recently ‘retired’ – Chip Limehouse? – who did some kind of campaign related business for fellow legislators, too?
Personally, I just don’t see how any organization or govt can be immoral because like they say on Star Trek, they aren’t/can’t be sentient beings. Now, the people in an organization or govt are another case.

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TroubleBaby December 16, 2015 at 6:34 pm

Is the Mafia immoral?

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nitrat December 16, 2015 at 6:37 pm

I don’t see that it could be unless the members are committing immoral acts.
But, I just don’t know about the Mafia’s policies and procedures. You reckon they have a manual?

TroubleBaby December 16, 2015 at 6:41 pm

It’s a pretty standardized “business model”, it’s almost identical to the governments. Only the voting pool is smaller.

Thing is, without other people’s money- they couldn’t ever exist.

If they get that money voluntarily, it’s ok. But, I assure you that you can find people that are forced to give both the Mafia and the government money that don’t want to- and that makes them immoral. (theft)

Superfly December 16, 2015 at 2:51 pm

“Of course the Quinn-controlled attorney
general’s office would say it isn’t a violation,” one critic of the
ruling told us. “This proves that (Wilson) has a massive conflict of
interest.”
—————————————————————-

Sounds like something creepy, bow-tied, incompetent, intellectually challenged effeminate at best, Wes Donohue would say. If not, it’s from some other douchebag scumbag political consultant who’d love to have all of that money, in return for their “services”.

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erneba December 16, 2015 at 2:56 pm

David Pascoe is forced to take responsibility from Alan Wilson for not investigating and potentially prosecuting politicians associated with potential corruption tied back to Quinn and Associates.
You have already lost ninety five percent of South Carolinians because it involves more than two parties, does not involve sex and/or incest, the rebel flag or associated memorabilia, hunting dogs, pickup trucks, etc.
Good luck with this one.

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Lone Ranger December 16, 2015 at 6:05 pm

Alan rebutted on Wednesday…well at least my pappy Joe was in the know and wasn’t found to be lying

You know—he didn’t stab SC conservatives by sticking his head up RINOs Boehner and Paul Ryan

And at least he said Hell no we won’t rip down the flag of patriots by NOT letting YOU get to vote

And he didn’t give the most incompetent presiDENT in history fast-track and try to make you a goat

Yep…he and mammy refused that taxpayer-PAID vacation to Hawaii—their most modest move to date

And of course we KNOW you’ll be slow and reelect Joe and me the next chance you get…NO…WAIT !!!

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nitrat December 16, 2015 at 6:30 pm

I don’t expect much law enforcement or justice from elected officials – AGs, sheriffs, prosecutors – involved in ‘criminal justice’ anymore.
But, it’s worse when the appointed ones and the career employees, like Bill Nettles or the local FBI, don’t seem particularly interested either.
We just don’t hardly stand a chance of getting rid of the corruption in this state.

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Del December 16, 2015 at 6:55 pm

The DSS computer fiasco spans decades and half a billion in cost. The Investment Commission has terrible performance and has cost us billions. DEHC has information systems so back-ass-wards that dams go un-inspected, and raw sewage is dumped into the river.

And you think any elected or appointed officials give a crap?

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Damned Dams December 16, 2015 at 8:29 pm

There is ZERO accountability in SC state government. Not a trace.

Any and all screwups gets hidden or excuses made and accepted.

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Old RC lawyer December 16, 2015 at 8:16 pm

Alan Wilson has done his job to protect Jean Toal as a favor to Jakie Knotts and Jahue Moore. He’s pathetic.

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Federal Lawsuits Will Be Filed December 16, 2015 at 8:31 pm

Wilson has shown his true colors. His career in politics is over. He shot himself in the head with this.

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Pissed off voter December 16, 2015 at 9:46 pm

This is not Alan wilson’s first time involving himself in cases where there is a clear conflict. Take the case of corrupt former lexington town councilman Danny fraizer and former chief of police of south Congaree Jason Amodio. Wilson went to parties with them and lived beside Danny Frazier in woodcreek subdivision. And after they were indicted, Wilson kept one charge each from them in his office. All the while, Danny continued to tell people from the beginning that he would not serve one day in jail and that is exactly what happen.

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Brenda Bryant December 18, 2015 at 1:29 pm

Bobby Harrell was singled out .This opinion will only encourage more corruption in S.C .This. was probably a plea deal for Wilsons ethic charges being dropped .We need a Clean Sweep in S.C.of these good ole boys.

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