Corruption probe evidence suggests pervasive pattern of political meddling by powerful Quinns
Former Rep. Rick Quinn painted his guilty plea on a misconduct charge as a necessary evil to end the persecution of his family over what amounted to a simple paperwork error on a state form. But newly released evidence in the case suggests a much deeper and pervasive pattern of alleged misconduct, along with a concerted effort by Quinn to hide his work on behalf of his father’s influential consulting firm.
Emails unveiled at the Lexington Republican's plea hearing Wednesday illustrate how the Quinns' political “family” of allies worked behind the scenes to influence legislation and decisions on behalf of the firm's clients, from getting one opposing lawmaker to “take a dive” on a bill favored by AT&T to pushing an amendment hand-delivered by a University of South Carolina lobbyist, special prosecutor David Pascoe told the court.
This taste of the evidence investigators have collected is just a smattering of the tens of thousands of emails, invoices and other documents authorities seized during a March raid at the Columbia offices of Richard Quinn & Associates. But it gave the public its first glimpse at the inside workings of one of South Carolina's oldest and most dominant political machines, illuminating how it works its levers and tentacles to further the interests of a vast array of high-dollar clients.
Take the case of AT&T, which reportedly shoveled close to a half-million dollars into the coffers of Richard Quinn & Associates between 2007 and 2015. The telecommunications giant was dismayed that Rep. Jim Merrill, a Daniel Island Republican, was digging in against a bill to make other carriers contribute to a fund that helps subsidize phone service to rural areas. They turned to the Quinns for help in dealing with Merrill, emails indicated.
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