S.C. Senate Oversight Panel Reviewing Attorney General’s Office

Without engaging in any speculation what the underlying substance of the issue under review is at the AG’s office, the deliberative process being described here is how it should have been handled with Richard Eckstrom and especially Curtis Loftis. Have professional, experienced investigators like the OIG examine the issues, the documents, and witnesses off of the TV cameras and then make a formal report of their findings and recommendations to the Senate and/or House. In the case of Eckstrom and Loftis, that deliberative investigative process could have also been to allow the SEC investigation to take its course – and they are a tier above the OIG in terms of investigative resources and legal powers. Then, when all those reports had come in, along with the forensic accounting firm’s report, the Senate committee could hold some additional public hearings if they so choose, but the vast majority of the hard legwork and detailed analysis would have been accomplished. Instead, we got a shameful, embarrassing roadside circus spearheaded by two blowhard senators with personal vendettas and ruthless political ambitions who have zero background or experience in complex financial accounting affairs. Fortunately, the House saw the product of that dumpster fire and wanted no part of it. It would appear that some Senators, like Massey, carry a better head on their shoulders when directly handling these types of matters.