Six months ago, the name of powerful “Republican” political consultant Richard Quinn appeared in a three-count indictment against sitting State Senator (and former Senate president) John Courson – one of the lawmakers ensnared by the ongoing #ProbeGate investigation.
According to charges filed in March, nearly a quarter of a million dollars was routed through Courson’s campaign account to a company run by Quinn. Roughly half of that cash was then allegedly funneled back to Courson via “multiple transactions” totaling more than $130,000.
Quinn was not charged at the time, and one of his most powerful clients – South Carolina governor Henry McMaster – indicated he had no intention of severing ties with the embattled consultant.
“We’ve worked together for a lot of years on political things and I intend to continue working with him,” McMaster told a reporter with The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier at the time.
Asked whether Quinn’s name appearing in a criminal indictment concerned him, McMaster responded in the negative.
“No, I plan to continue working with him,” he said.
Take a look …
(Click to view)
(Via: YouTube)
Plans obviously changed, though …
After several months of fresh revelations related to this ongoing, multi-jurisdictional investigation, McMaster finally cut ties with Quinn – who was indicted this week on charges of criminal conspiracy and failure to register as a lobbyist.
Additional charges – including some federal charges – are expected in connection with the case.
Unfortunately, McMaster’s second choice to run his 2018 race – former Nikki Haley advisor Tim Pearson – has been a disaster. In fact many see another campaign shakeup coming, especially after a poorly organized presidential fundraiser in Greenville, S.C. earlier this week.
Meanwhile McMaster’s chief of staff in the governor’s office, Trey Walker, is among those who have been summoned to appear before the grand jury investigating Quinn, his politicians and the special interests pulling their strings …
Is McMaster exposed to the scandal himself? It’s unclear …
But it’s becoming abundantly clear that his close proximity to those at the heart of the scandal is a millstone around the neck of his gubernatorial ambitions.
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