… ANGRY OBSTRUCTION IN S.C. STATE HOUSE PROBE
With his political career on the line – along with the careers of multiple state lawmakers facing likely criminal corruption charges – S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson angrily addressed reporters Wednesday regarding allegations that he has obstructed an ongoing probe into public corruption at the S.C. State House.
Oddly enough, though, Wilson’s press event may have been intended to further this obstructionism by tainting the evidence that’s been collected against multiple sitting lawmakers (many of whom are reportedly in his political orbit – a.k.a. the political stable of neo-Confederate consultant Richard Quinn).
Of interest, Wilson was joined at his press conference by Henry McMaster and Charlie Condon, a pair of former attorneys general who also received their political counsel from Quinn.
To briefly recap the situation: Wilson recused himself from this investigation into legislative corruption last summer – claiming he was “conflicted.” He never explained his conflicts, however, he simply handed the case off to S.C. first circuit solicitor David Pascoe – who previously presided over the successful prosecution of former S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell when Wilson recused himself in that case, too.
Wilson didn’t stay “recused” for long in the current case, though …
Last December, his office quietly released an advisory opinion (obtained exclusively by this website) in which he advised Pascoe that several angles of potential prosecution against sitting members of the S.C. General Assembly were unlikely to yield indictments.
That opinion finally drew media attention to the fact that Wilson’s involvement in the ongoing investigation wasn’t exactly on the up-and-up.
This week, all hell broke loose. First, it was revealed that Wilson was blocking the empaneling of a grand jury requested by Pascoe and the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) – presumably to keep this grand jury from issuing indictments of sitting lawmakers.
When news of Wilson’s obstruction became public – he fired Pascoe. Next, he attempted to appoint another solicitor to take the case – but that official, S.C. fifth circuit solicitor Dan Johnson, declined to take the case citing the swirling controversy.
Wilson claimed he reentered the case out of a sense of duty.
“I cannot recuse myself from my statutory obligations to administer the state grand jury act,” he said at his press conference.
Wilson then proceeded to refer to Pascoe (repeatedly) as “tainted” – but never explained why.
Which may have been the point …
“Wilson has effectively precluded a prosecution now by calling Pascoe ‘tainted,'” one attorney explained. “He’s cast doubt on any evidence uncovered. In essence, he’s knowingly tainted any evidence by calling the prosecutor out.”
Yet to be determined? Whether Wilson has the power to intervene in this case at all …
“Wilson delegated the powers of the attorney general to solicitor David Pascoe without reservation,” one former state judge told us. “That delegation of authority necessarily included the power to take the case before the state grand jury. Pascoe stood in the shoes of the attorney general and therefore could sign as attorney general to empanel the state grand jury.”
“Wilson’s argument that only HE could approve empaneling is specious; e.g., that would necessitate his reviewing the FACTS supporting a statewide Grand Jury, and he recused himself because of an appearance of impropriety in 2014!” the judge added. “He can’t review and make a decision now!”
Apparently Wilson thinks he can …
Not only that, Wilson had the audacity to continue trying to portray himself as the aggrieved crusader … while lambasting his enemies as “naysayers, haters” and of course “bloggers.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “Keep doing what you are doing. I’ll keep doing the right thing. You do your worst. I will do my best.”
Sadly, two years ago Wilson had built a reputation as a crusader for public integrity … standing up to a corrupt judicial branch in an effort to advance the case against Harrell. But he surrendered his white hat a long time ago … and now his conduct has become so transparently reprehensible, so egregiously corrupt that this website has called on him to resign his office.
Did Wilson’s show of bravado this week do anything to change our mind?
No … and apparently we’re not alone in that assessment.
“He came across like a petulant child,” a source close to the investigation told us, and that was one of the kinder criticisms.
“This is an unmitigated disaster for Alan Wilson,” a senior South Carolina “Republican” official told us.
“This is up there with Howard Dean screaming,” one prominent Democrat agreed.
Sad …
83 comments
“I’ll keep doing the right thing. ”
The right thing for who Mr. Wilson?
“I will do my best.”
I don’t think anyone is impressed by your “best” Mr. Wilson.
Your problems with Pascoe & Johnson weren’t created by “naysayers, haters, & bloggers”, they were created by you.
Maybe it’s time for you to not only recuse yourself from this case, but from your office.
He said “to the critics, the detractors, and to the doubters, to the policy wonks, partisans and party hacks, to the naysayers, to the bloggers, to the haters, to the cowards who anonymously troll the comment sections of media websites, and to the politicians who would do anything to advance your own political agenda or your career, I have this to say to you, “keep doing what you are doing; I will continue to do the right thing.”” – 24:23-56 Is this a threat? Is he coming after us?
Chilling
Did he really say “anonymous commenters”? I haven’t seen the video of his rant yet.
He said, “to the cowards who anonymously troll the comment sections of media websites.” Talk to the hand, Wilson.
I am using my legal name. Do I get a medal…
or a prison cell?
Chilling
Watch it here:
http://www.wistv.com/clip/12325164/raw-video-alan-wilson-defends-removal-of-prosecutor-in-corruption-probe?autostart=true
Unbelievable. Alan Wilson, at war with everyone but who he should be…what a moron.
Not only that, he tore into John Monk from “The State”. He accused him of receiving a tip from Pascoe regarding the petition filing. Wilson’s words towards Monk is beyond the pale. The SC Attorney General accused a reporter of a crime because the reporter did not answer his question? He interrogated Monk, accused Monk, and convicted Monk.
Chilling
25:00-26:06
So he’s an enemy of the free press now too?
I have to wonder about his mental stability.
Mental stability… They promised transparency and more.. When they are elected, they lie and more.. Transparency is no more and they lie and lie and hire friends and friends and cover the shit of friends and friends. Alan Wilson, the top cover your ass expert.. and the top expert in justice in SC! Cover Curtis Melvin Loftis … Complete turn over of staff , gone is the expertise of a respected office.. replaced by friends with no knowledge of the office… Millions lost and millions more wasted .. costing the tax payers millions…Alan Wilson, investigate the STO and Curtis Loftis…
The STO is in charge of many funds for the state.. all of them… Loftis can do with them what he wants. No supervision, no control and Loftis has used and abused them for many years.. The state is sorry and will be very sorry for the tax payers will be responsible for the stupidity of an elected official with a brain of a roach and a very infected butt. Alan Wilson looks like Curtis Melvin Loftis…Two corrupted officials… Justice and money… and very corrupt. Resign now .. Loftis and Alan Wilson…
Most politicians are enemies of free press, but at least most of them are a heck of a lot more restrained than this clown.
He actually later yesterday walked back his anger towards Monk:
“http://www.wltx.com/news/one-on-one-alan-wilson-explains-decision/110878963”
He never fully explained why if Pascoe had met with him the week prior that the “tainting” could have been resolved- and his walk back suggests to me that he’s mentally unfit for this office as he admitted he was angry and that it was innappropriate to direct that anger towards Monk.
You simply can’t have a man who’s decisions are dictated by emotion holding the office Wilson does IMO…at least without the potential for abuse.
I can’t help but remember Wilson saying yesterday “Grand Jury’s are scary things.”
Yes Mr. Wilson, they certainly are…for those who’ve done something wrong.
He needs to go sniff a few jocks. Maybe that will level him out for a bit.
Without the leaks this damn would have been plugged by Wilson.
Alan Wilson is a sorry AG and must resign. The State needs an attorney standing for justice… Alan Wilson, can he explain the 9 pages of redacted materials? Where did they go? Show the pages and the names of the corrupted … Do they include Alan Wilson’s name? Accusing journalists of a crime to cover your ass is a poor, sorry tactic… Resign, Wilson… you stink!
Amen, they love to use fancy words like redacted instead of cover up, crony, unholy alliance, crooked bastards.
Just how did monk know to ask for those files less than 30 minutes after ….and before AG Wilson knew of the filing? I think the question was justified and a great move on AG Wilsons part. Clearly Pascoe filed then called Monk. And that is a low move and not a sign of integrity.
But if those files are freely available, why would it be inappropriate for Monk to be told. Often, the press is told things anonymously. That doesn’t mean it was illegal or unethical. There were proceedings in the Harrell case before the grand jury met that were public.
Yeah, it’s no BFD at all. Happens all the time. Wilson has made a total ass of himself.
You must be joking and/or not from these parts. Monk has an exceptional network of sources. He is shrewd. And he doesn’t back down. Most likely, he got several tips from different sources about the filing. NOTHING is secret or sacred in this town. Wilson would do well to review the long list of scandals and scofflaws Monk has taken down in his long career. Wilson may be next.
Monk was an investigative reporter for The Sun News in Myrtle Beach for many years. I believe it was in the late ’70s or early ’80s that a prominent attorney was arrested on a minor charge, but did not leave the MB jail alive. I was friends with both of the sons of the attorney, and they were my classmates. I see them both at regular social get-togethers of MBHS alumni that we have every couple of months. I had also been friends with the cop (also a classmate, now deceased) who slammed Fleming Jensen’s head in the concrete floor of the holding cell. He’d actually been kind to me when I was arrested for drunk and disorderly, just a few years before the Jensen incident. Fleming was not so lucky.
The city tried to cover it all up, and there was no real investigation to speak off. It was like “our guy did no wrong. Nothing to see here. Move along .. .”
Monk kept digging and reporting on inconsistencies and irregularities in the way the case was handled. He did his job, in other words, just as he did on other abuses of power and rampant public corruption in the area. The powers that be wanted him gone. He was sued, just as the award-winning investigative reporter David Wren was sued many years later.
Not sure of how that case turned out, but I do know that Monk left The Sun News and went to another paper, in another state. Then several years later, he returned to SC. Ever since, he’s been doing excellent work for The State.
If he gets under the skin of guys like Wilson he’s OK in my book!
If I remember correctly, Monk was involved in the takedown of former USC President Jim Holderman.
Wilson sounds like he could very well be a tyrant if he ever made it further in politics. Frightening. This goes beyond Republican or Democratic. This man is crazy. God help our state.
Please, watch the video… Alan Wilson is mad and looks mad.. Not a candidate for governor and not a respectable AG.. He will never be governor and he should resign.. not able to stand for justice and he comprised himself… influenced by legislators and elected officials who are not worthy of the public votes and public trust. Alan Wilson has violated his oath to the people of SC… Resign… You lie and we do not trust you..
Thank you so much for that link!
How can Wilson recuse himself, yet still have power to determine if the grand jury goes ahead? How can that not be a conflict of interest if he’s a potential target of a grand jury?
I can’t see how that conflict of interest can be allowed regardless of how the state law reads. Isn’t that in the least a legal ethics issue that the bar(or SC judicial dept) should address?
I’ve never seen an AG throw a prosecutor under the bus like Wilson has, let alone one that he selected.
I can’t help but wonder how him and his staff can’t recognize their hypocrisy in decrying how Pascoe is tainted because of case leaks, yet Wilson himself at the start cries about his own internal leaks when he was doing the investigation. Amazing.
Even further, he invalidates his own argument about not proceeding over Pascoe’s “tainting” due to leaks when he says if there was simply a meeting last week between him and Pascoe last week he would have signed off on a grand jury.
How would that have rectified the “tainting” he claims?! He actually contradicts himself!
I can only see a Federal solution to this…if Alan Wilson really wants to protect what’s left of his reputation(and truly do the right thing) he should hand this whole ball of wax over to the Feds. I’m not buying his indignant/angry act either. He doth protest too much IMO.
Wilson said Pascoe wasn’t even his 5th choice. Evidently, five others declined? Listening to Wilson explain it Pascoe volunteered!
Seriously, he’s like a child that takes no responsibilities for his own actions and stomps around irrationally.(Wilson)
Everything is everyone else’s fault but his. He might actually be a sociopath.
So Wison’s feet are to close to the fire and he’s a bad decision maker, admittedly, wow, just what we need in an AG
Oh, the bloggers! Are they related to the bogeyman and do they hide under your bed at night? Poor Alan Wilson, so scared of the bloggers… not ready to do the right thing , way too young with milk behind his ears… You lie, Alan Wilson, you lie… Opinions after the facts… What are you hiding?
VINTAGE Bob Cook rhetoric. Whole lotta hot air. The smartest thing Wilson could have done was tell Pascoe to bring it and then shut his trap…
“Town Crier” is Ms.Lee Teed. She is a former employee at the AG’s office. Lee, character matters and you failed the test. She now works for HHS and regularly criticizes Governor Haley.
Nice job outing someone else.
Who might you be?
All these self serving inter office Govco drama queens coming here to piss on each other. Like crabs in a bucket.
Empty threat, he must have gotten that from Pogo’s playbook. They are both cowards that are all bark, no bite.
Where do ya want to meet? Will be back in SC for SOS.See if Fits will give ya a day off.
You stalking me or something? I don’t want to meet your creepy behind.
My apologies.I forgot you’re a paid keyboard pussy.
I think it would be fun.Bring Rocky.Maybe Boz can make it.
Sounds like ” I am not a crook” . Nixon and the 18 minutes of erased tapes… Watergate a while back and Nixon resigned.. ” I am not a crook,” Alan Wilson and the 9 pages of redacted material… What is Alan hiding.. Resign, Alan Wilson. You created your problems …
“I’ll keep doing the right thing.”
Getting our hopes up that he might resign…
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 !!!
He should be impeached… (Wilson – That is)
Where’s the link to the video of the news conference?
EDITED IN:
Got it! Here’s the link to the raw video:
http://www.wistv.com/clip/12325164/raw-video-alan-wilson-defends-removal-of-prosecutor-in-corruption-probe?autostart=true
I think it’s time for the US Attorney to enter the investigation. Alan Wilson wants somebody, anybody other than himself to make a decision. Why not invite the Feds in to make the decision to prosecute the General Assembly? They did a really good job the last time!
Sadly, in the here and now, the few they choose to go after will likely get probation or nothing sentences, as was the case with the Lexington Crime Ring, “because they cooperated”.
This is one ugly mess. The Democrats should be a shoe-in next election, all they have to do is convince the electorate they won’t be worse.
Problem is, the electorate are dumb as dirt and rarely vote. Like most FitsNews commenters.
If voting solved anything, they’d make it illegal. (see the GOP and Dem primary)
They’ll just change the laws to get what they want, unless we demand otherwise
When you say “demand otherwise”, I hope you mean pitchforks and guillotine’s….cause voting doesn’t work. (*cites the last two hundred years of voting)
Unfortunately I have a five year old or I’d be on board, he’s now the love of my life and my reason for interest in a better future for working middle class tax paying citizens, …
Ten year’s ago I’d have been your man.
I thank I should have said fortunately, not unfortunately, because he is my reason … for reason.
I understand completely, I wouldn’t participate for similar reasons..but I’d certainly & happily cheer the mob on.
Bingo!
I say again…
Alan Wilson’s job is to make it easier, not harder, to convene a grand jury. If a duly appointed prosecutor, a well respected Circuit Court judge, and the Republican appointed SLED chief believe that is what is necessary for justice, Then Wilson should be unlocking the jury room and starting a pot of coffee, not waving his arms like a petulant child and trying to miscarry Justice.
Either Wilson’s ego can’t handle the fact that someone else is doing his job or he is completely obstructing justice to protect himself and his political adviser. Isn’t that why he recused himself in the first place- because of a “conflict”?
He chose politics over Justice months ago.
And this man was an Eagle scout? Really?
Seems to me, if Wilson wanted this resolved he would gladly open the State Grand Jury, … isn’t this exactly what it was intended for ?
Wilson has done everything but recuse himself from the situation, through his actions. I’m sure some of you can twist this legally to kick the can down the road, but it smells of bullshit to me, give SLED and Pascoe everything they need to prosecute. Let the chips fall, don’t close down county or any lines to prevent them from getting to the bottom of this. Just seems so obvious Wilson and crony’s are doing all they can to protect someone. And the fact he already recused himself makes it stink all the more.
Let the nuclear mud slinging begin … And there is going to be lots of it, non stop. Wait till former US Attorney Nettles gets sucked up in the mushroom cloud.
Bring in the feds Operation Lost Trust 2.0. Wilson is in deep and lying his ass off.
Wilson was joined at his press conference by Henry McMaster and Charlie Condon, a pair of former attorneys general who also received their political counsel from Quinn.
Democrat Travis Medlock was there too.
Exactly, it’s CYA on a fairly large scale.
What were they thinking they were doing by involving themselves in this debacle…except, ‘Hey, I can be on TV!!’
They may regret that appearance when/if they are sucked into his mess.
All of this can be solved overnight. At the next exlection, simply do not vote for the incumbent, no matter who he or she is. Completely restructure the government. Then you can build from scratch.
Alan Wilson was not an incumbent when he was elected.
running scared, born illegitimate, bad genes…nothing going for this guy.
Wilson’s birth father was married to his mother and was killed in a military service accident when Alan was very young. He was an honorable man.
You could not be more wrong.
Aye, but he is now. That so many were so gullible and so stupid as to disregard the boldface writing on the wall and vote for him the first time, much less a second time, blows my mind.
Seriously, a son of a long-term politician with strong ties to a bunch of other politicians who are known crooks to anyone who opens their eyes and bothers to look around, even just a little, and anyone believed for a second that he would do the right thing. “My daddy has been sucking at the tit of public money and living large for it, so it is my birthright to do the same.” How hard is it to see problems with this attitude or mindset?
I’m glad to see people finally waking up.
Time to GIT SOME!!!
There is a link on the FBI website where they state that public corruption is there number one concern, everyone should call the number and demand something be done. The idea that any of SLED’s investigation has not been brought to light is complete bullshit.
This was the most extraordinary press conference I’ve seen in South Carolina since the Appalachian trail. The exchange between John Monk and was a poli sci lesson in the important role of the free press. Reading the transcript at the bottom of “The State” article or viewing the video if audible (I have seen the question period) should be assigned to students. I felt a little awkward about McMaster, Condon and Medlock. Wilson looked flustered and out of control. How could McMaster explain this to voters if he runs for another office?
http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article68974282.html
Wilson looked flustered and out of control.
Most politicians who commit career suicide are to some degree.
When will someone over there finally boot those two old mossbacks McIntosh and Cook out of the AGs office? They gave Condon awful advice and made a spectacle of the office. Every Wilson disaster so far has their fingerprints on it. This Pascoe matter is a good example of how those two bullies operate. He didn’t bow down or bow out, so the McIntosh/Cook solution is to crank out a news release and sling shit. Good for Pascoe for acting like an adult and a pro. Hope all solicitors stand behind him on this. After all…they may be next.
I left out over-rated and overpaid fatass and 3rd stooge Barry Bernstein, who has no business being a “Chief of Staff.” The only thing he’s in charge of is making sure he’s the biggest asswipe in state government, which should earn him a “substantially exceeds” on his next eval.
You are probably right, but there are a lot of loser asswipes in state government getting substantially exceeds evaluations so he has lots of competition for that title.
“Town Crier” is Lee Teed. Former employee at the AG’s office. Lee, character matters and you failed the test. She now works for HHS and regularly criticizes Governor Haley.
Hey, if she criticized Haley too, I’d give her props for that.
“Town Crier” is Lee Teed. Former employee at the AG’s office. Lee, Character matters and you failed the test. She know works for HHS and regularly critics Governor Haley.
New video of Alan’s press conference has emerged showing yet another meltdown:
http://giphy.com/gifs/garbage-dumpster-fire-l4Ki6oZ4oPrrgLl9m
Aaaaand Kenny Boone is right there with them. Birds of a feather. Guess he’s getting ready for the day when he decides he no longer wants to be “head-sheriff-in-charge” & runs with Leatherman’s blessing for that seat. This good ol’ boy thing has got to end!
I just noticed, they all seem to be wearing their yellow (or approximation thereof) “power ties”. Is this a symbol of solidarity with each-other? Is it a symbol of rank in the Good Ol’Boys Club? Or did they perhaps engage in some ancient GOBC ritual involving drinking one-another’s urine from the spout, prior to the big conference? Perhaps with spillage?
Wilson should have paid more attention in his Francis Marion History Classes.
Nixon tried to remove the special Watergate prosecutor too.
It didn’t work then and it won’t work now.
Wilson may end up in jail before this is all over.
His only saviors are the crooked SC Supreme Court.
Which is elected by the same people Pascoe wants to put in jail.
Pascoe needs to call in the FEDs, as the SC Supreme Court is also Supremely Crooked.