SC Lieutenant Governor Ken Ard Resigning [View all]

[Are_grits_groceries]

As reported exclusively by FITS earlier this week, S.C. Lt. Gov. Ken Ard (RINO-Pamplico) will resign his office on Friday – the culmination of a months-long grand jury investigation into major campaign finance irregularities and (more importantly) the lies Ard told in an attempt to cover them up.

Multiple sources – including sources inside the embattled Lieutenant Governor’s office – have confirmed to FITS that Ard will step down as part of a plea deal reached with S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
<snip>
Ard was hit with over 100 violations and assessed more than $60,000 worth of ethics fines, although an accompanying report published by the S.C. State Ethics Commission (SCSEC) revealed a damning pattern of deception associated with the original allegations.
<snip>
http://www.fitsnews.com/2012/03/08/ken-ard-resigning/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

What happens next?
SC Palace Intrigue
<snip>
As the hours tick down prior to the expected resignation of S.C. Lt. Gov. Ken Ard (RINO-Pamplico), a furious behind-the-scenes battle is raging over who will replace him – and how the process of doing so could realign the balance of power in the State Senate.
<snip>
For months, conventional wisdom has held that S.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell – who is in line to succeed Ard – would step down from his powerful post immediately prior to the lieutenant governor’s resignation in an effort to avoid assuming this largely-ceremonial, part-time position.
<snip>
While it has long been assumed that McConnell will do everything within his power to avoid the political impotence of the lieutenant governor’s office, the various investigations and lawsuits surrounding Gov. Nikki Haley have prompted some to speculate that he might take the job on the assumption that Haley isn’t going to survive her full term (not an entirely bad bet).
<snip>
Much more on who will step in. It's beyond convoluted: http://www.fitsnews.com/2012/03/08/sc-palace-intrigue/

OK. This is no surprise. It was just a matter of when. The succession issue is where the fun begins.

If you thought who would ascend to the thrones in Europe was a byzantine process, it doesn't hold a candle to the paths being considered in the Statehouse.

Stay tuned......