Several weeks ago, we received entreaties from multiple mainstream media sources in the Columbia, South Carolina market regarding information allegedly in our possession – information related to embattled S.C. fifth circuit solicitor Dan Johnson.
These media sources believed a story detailing this information was forthcoming from our media outlet …
According to these sources, the information we ostensibly obtained was related to our exclusive reporting on Johnson’s alleged questionable conduct with female subordinates – news we broke more than five years ago. Around that time we also exclusively unearthed a bizarre 2011 incident which led to a S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigation into Johnson.
Two months ago, we exclusively reported on the shocking results of that investigation …
According to SLED investigators, Johnson was stalking his estranged wife Kana Rahman using a GPS tracker that he placed on her vehicle. In one incident related to this stalking, he allegedly pulled a gun on Mario Martin, an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who was having an affair with Rahman.
“I’ll put a bullet in you, motherf*cker,” Johnson allegedly screamed at Martin during the encounter.
How did Johnson manage to keep his job after this? Well, Rahman eventually recanted her testimony about his behavior, saying she couldn’t recall whether Johnson threatened her lover or not.
Why would she do that? Well, the SLED investigation also revealed an incident in which Rahman stabbed Johnson in the chest during one of their domestic disputes – an assault he covered up for her.
That’s right … homegirl stabbed him. In the chest. And Johnson, according to the report, told the medical staff who treated him for his injuries that it was accident. Specifically, he claimed “he had startled (Rahman) and that she had accidentally stabbed him.”
Yeah …
Quid pro quo?
That’s certainly how it reads to us …
(Click to view)
(Via: S.C. Fifth Judicial Circuit)
Johnson’s saga has burst back into the headlines thanks to an ongoing SLED inquiry – as well as a parallel probe by federal investigators – into his profligate spending. These investigations were launched as a result of Johnson’s ongoing tiff with powerful Columbia, S.C. attorney Dick Harpootlian. One of the most influential figures in Palmetto politics, Harpootlian is the driving force behind a Columbia, S.C.-based non profit organization called Public Access to Public Records (PAPR). Several months ago, this organization dumped a treasure trove of documents related to “audits, budgets, bank records, credit card statements, accounting records, check requests and receipts, and records pertaining to vendors tasked with managing programs that generate fees” for Johnson’s office.
News of these documents was also exclusively reported by this news site.
What is the reason for Harpootlian’s animus? We’ve got a theory, but it ultimately doesn’t matter what is driving him … what matters is what the documents revealed (taxpayer-funded expenditures by Johnson’s office on swanky parties, cab and Uber rides, club and gym memberships and hotel rooms all over the world). And the investigations that have followed.
In spite of everything, Johnson filed for reelection earlier this year – waiting until the very last day to submit his paperwork. He is running for a third term in office against Byron Gipson – a Columbia, S.C. attorney whose candidacy was exclusively reported on earlier this year by John Monk of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper.
Which reminds us … about that information …
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[/timed-content-server]In our report two months ago, we noted that “several of the women (Johnson) reportedly harassed are now prepared to step forward with documentation in support of their claims.”
According to our sources, two of those women have now done just that – including one who reportedly filmed an interview earlier this month with WIS TV 10 (NBC – Columbia, S.C.). No word yet on when the mainstream media will publish its accounts, though.
More importantly, we’re told at least one of Johnson’s alleged victims has shared their account of his behavior with law enforcement investigators.
What sort of behavior are we referring to?
“Psychological warfare, not just sexual harassment,” as one source described it to us.
An alleged pattern of it, too …
As for any information alleged to be in our possession related to this case, all we can say is we always have – and always will – abide by the conditions imposed upon us by our sources with regard to anything we are provided.
Especially the condition of anonymity.
Stay tuned, though … this could be an eventful next couple of days.
One final point? Whatever comes out about Johnson over the next few days, we believe he should have resigned his office months ago based solely on the financial irregularities uncovered by Harpootlian’s group (and currently under investigation by SLED and federal agents). The fact he chose to file for reelection in light of the demonstrable contempt he has displayed toward Midlands-area taxpayers is, quite frankly, disgusting.
Personal issues aside, Johnson is unfit for further service …
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