Reignited Nikki Haley ethics probe grabs spotlight
There is smoke. But is there fire? A fight – once thought extinguished – is in full swing over whether Gov. Nikki Haley illegally lobbied while a Lexington County state representative, exploiting her public office for personal financial gain.
A legislative panel must decide soon whether to clear Haley of the allegations, dig deeper into them or punt the matter to the full House of Representatives. Legislators also could seek guidance from S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
The decision will be made against a backdrop of hostility.
Haley and another top-ranking Republican, House Speaker Bobby Harrell of Charleston, late last week traded jabs over whether the ethics process has been hijacked.
The first-term governor contends an out-of-control political system is intent on taking her down.
Haley’s critics say the governor is “crying wolf” to distract attention from a legitimate investigation into whether she sold her public office to the highest private bidders, a Lexington hospital seeking state approval to expand and a Columbia-based engineering firm that worked for the state.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/05/27/2291742/reignited-haley-ethics-probe-grabs.html#storylink=cpy
