One of the worst-kept “secrets” in South Carolina is that the Palmetto State’s embattled fifth circuit solicitor – Dan Johnson – is staring down the business end of a federal investigation. We are told this probe is likely to yield charges sooner rather than later, but it turns out the federal case isn’t the extent of Johnson’s criminal problems.
According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Johnson is the subject of an ongoing state grand jury investigation into possible misconduct in office. Specifically, grand jurors are reportedly considering whether to indict the scandal-scarred solicitor in connection with multiple instances of alleged workplace sexual harassment.
At least one of Johnson’s alleged victims has reportedly testified before this secret panel, and others are likely to be summoned in the coming weeks.
According to our sources, grand jurors want to know whether Johnson leveraged the power of his office – including hiring and firing decisions as well as decisions related to pay and promotions – to alternately reward or punish subordinates based on their willingness to gratify him sexually.
News of Johnson’s alleged harassment of his female subordinates was first reported by FITSNews.com years ago … but it did not break into the mainstream until this year, after a group affiliated with influential Democratic attorney (and S.C. Senate candidate) Dick Harpootlian uncovered a host of financial irregularities within Johnson’s office budget.
Harpootlian’s group – Public Access to Public Records (PAPR) – focused its investigation on Johnson’s misuse of tax dollars, however the scrutiny from that inquiry led mainstream media outlets to revisit the stories we published years ago.
The results were explosive …
Among the bombshells? The release of a 2011 report prepared by investigators of the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) that analyzed Johnson’s toxic, tortured relationship with his ex-wife – Kana Rahman. Johnson likely would have faced charges in connection with that inquiry, however Rahman ultimately recanted her testimony about his actions toward her and others.
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[/timed-content-server]No one is recanting this time … however we are told several of Johnson’s alleged victims have been less-than-keen on cooperating with the grand jury probe.
What are they afraid of? It’s not clear.
Columbia, S.C. attorney Byron Gipson eviscerated Johnson in the Democratic primary for the fifth circuit solicitor’s post back in June. He faces write-in candidate John Meadors in the general election in November.
Developing …
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