Governor’s appointment to Citadel Board of Visitors replaces the only African American board member with a white Haley campaign donor
Columbia, SC – Last week, Gov. Nikki Haley appointed a campaign-donor, Greg A. Lapointe, as the newest member of The Citadel’s Board of Visitors. Lapointe, a Haley campaign donor, replaces the only African American on the Citadel’s Board of Visitors. Today, South Carolina legislators blasted Governor Haley for her pattern of “pay to play” politics.
“I find it hard to believe that the best and most-qualified appointees for the Citadel and other boards around the state just happen to all be a part of Nikki Haley’s campaign donor base,” said Rep. Seth Whipper of Charleston. “Something stinks with these appointments and Nikki Haley’s pay-to-play politics has to stop. It’s time for the Governor to consider a broader set of candidates for appointment, with an eye towards maintaining diversity.”
The Citadel’s Board of Visitors is the college’s governing body. Mr. Lapointe replaces James M. McQuilla who was the only African American serving on the Board.
“Pay to play politics is bad enough, but the Governor’s latest Citadel announcement adds further insult to injury,” said Rep David Mack of Charleston. “Nikki Haley chose to appoint a white donor to a seat that has traditionally been held by an African American. In doing so, she removed the diversity from the Citadel Board of Visitors, which is not in the best interests of the college or its students. For once, Governor Haley should look outside her own interests and consider qualified leaders that could maintain the diversity on the boards.”
In March 2011, Governor Haley replaced well-respected Darla Moore, namesake for the USC School of Business, with another one of her campaign donors on the USC Board of Trustees. Moore, who had given $70 million to USC but not contributed to Nikki Haley, was replaced by a man whose family gave $9,000 to the Haley campaign during the 2010 campaign.
“Governor Haley’s appointment is disconcerting for many reasons, but most importantly because she continues to compromise our state’s competitiveness for cronyism,” said Rep. Mia McLeod of Columbia. “If Nikki Haley’s pattern of pay to play politics continues to remove diversity from what should be nonpartisan appointments, South Carolina’s collegiate boards will not reflect the populations they serve. Instead, those board seats will be sold to the highest bidder, to buy off her campaign supporters. And once again, the citizens of our state will come up short.”
Governor Haley also replaced Dr. Paula Orr, the only African American on the Medical University of South Carolina Board, with another white campaign donor, Dr. Harold Jablon, in 2011.
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12 comments
Totally lost me when you start with the article off with the color of skin. Now, the size of the cantaloupes…. That’s a story worth reading.
Indians (dot, not feathers) don’t like black people. Indians (both dot and feathers) like money. And Madam Haley has millions stashed away in campaign accounts, 501 c 3’s, 501 c 4’s, etc. much of it hidden far from the public’s prying eyes.
This guy LaPointe has given money, but more importantly you can be assured he has raised her money (privately if not publicly) as Haley won’t move a finger for a legal contribution as they are limited in size by the law. She likes those “off the books” contributions. Oh yea, she likes them a lot.
I am not sure anyone cares. I don’t think anyone believes she is honest. She gets votes cause she is pleasant. not ugly and hates Obama and Negros.
Me’s doesnt think she hates Negroes, she just can’t find a qualified one!
Every Governor and President does this. Not sure I see a problem here.
So what do you expect from Ms. Haley, the tea baggers and all of the wonderful republicans????
Ummmm…you failed to mention the fact that he is a 1985 graduate of The Citadel, and McQuilla has been moved to the Commission of Higher Education…a statewide body over colleges…by the same Governor. This Haley-hate is going to burn you out once her term is over…
http://www.citadel.edu/root/lapointe-bov
She did the same thing, but worse with Darla Moore at USC.
NIKKI HALEY CARES ONLY ABOUT NIKKI HALEY!
Guys,
There could be no better example of pay for play than Darla Moore. I think the argument that Nikki was removing a pay for play leader was a good move in the case of Ms. Moore.
Wrong Virginia Appleseed, Pay for Play means you pay the Politician for the appointment. Darla Moore was contributing generously to USC and NOT to NIKKI HALEY. You must remember NIKKI HALEY CARES ONLY ABOUT NIKKI HALEY!
Nicki’s adviser is her husband-who was instrumental in getting rid of the then SLED head because he didn’t hire a couple of sheriff’s deputies that helped Nicki’s run for governor. $70 million to USC or $9000 to Nicki’s political machine-she owed him big time but Darla was/is seen as a rival.
Being a graduate of The Citadel who happens to be Black; I do not agree with Governor Haley on this one. If this is the Republican idea of outreach then it has turned this independent and some of my fellow black alumni against this Governor and the party for the time being. Jack Douglas gave up the seat to which James McQuilla who recruited me to The Citadel was appointed by then Governor Sanford. Now you have this pay for play thing going on. This does not help the image of my Alma Mater or the State of Carolina! Hint to Governor Haley sometimes image is important.