EX-LAWMAKER HOPES TO AVOID PUBLIC EMBARRASSMENT …
An attorney for former S.C. Rep. Chip Limehouse is attempting to seal the liberal Republican’s “baby momma drama” from public view – and impose a gag order on all parties related to the case.
Limehouse’s lawyer – Janet Butcher of Summerville, S.C. – has also accused this website of making false statements regarding her client, multiple sources familiar with the situation tell us.
We look forward to her making that claim publicly …
This isn’t the first time attorneys for Limehouse have moved to seal court files. Nor is it the first time Limehouse (or someone acting on his behalf) has called us liars.
Will things end better this time for the rotund Lowcountry developer?
We shall see …
To be clear: We don’t especially care about Limehouse’s personal life, but we cannot abide by secrecy from powerful officials (Limehouse has resigned his legislative seat but is still a member of a powerful state infrastructure panel).
When they move to seal court files, we’re going to report on it.
Three years ago, for example, we reported on the sealing of a divorce file involving former S.C. governor Nikki Haley’s longtime political advisor Tim Pearson. Why were those document sealed? Good question … although we know Haley, now the United States’ ambassador to the United Nations, has been listed as the “other woman” in at least one other divorce action.
“The sealing of divorce records for prominent politicos has become routine in South Carolina … yet another example of the preferential treatment received by those in power in the Palmetto State,” we wrote last year. “Here’s how it works: If you screw up … everybody gets to read about it. If a powerful lawmaker screws up? Their dirty details are kept under lock and key … zealously guarded by the judges they appoint.”
Sound fair? Of course not …
Limehouse, 54, is embroiled in a nasty divorce case with his soon-to-be ex-wife, Susan Limehouse. He is also dealing with a custody case involving a child he allegedly conceived out of wedlock with a woman in Aiken, S.C.
Limehouse represented S.C. House District 110 (map) from 1994-2016. During that time he served as a top lieutenant to fiscally liberal former S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell – presiding over massive increases in government spending and borrowing. In 2013, Limehouse ran unsuccessfully (spectacularly so) for the Palmetto State’s first congressional district.
In December of last year, it was announced that Limehouse would be remaining on the S.C. State Infrastructure Bank board as a “non-legislative appointee” of current S.C. Speaker of the House Jay Lucas.
This board is widely viewed as part of the problem when it comes to the politicization of road funding in the Palmetto State.
Anyway, stay tuned … we look forward to providing our readers with updates on both of those cases (assuming Limehouse is unsuccessful in sealing the records and gagging the parties to the cases).
UPDATE: A judge has issued a bench ruling in Limehouse’s “baby momma drama” gagging all parties and attorneys in the case.
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