Some of Gov. Nikki Haley’s activities while she was a South Carolina House member from 2005-10 will be dissected in a House Ethics Committee hearing that started Thursday morning.
Allegations: Haley is accused of using her office to illegally lobby on behalf of two employers — the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, where she was a $110,000-a-year fundraiser, and Columbia-based Wilbur Smith and Associates engineering firm, where she was paid $42,500 as a consultant — and also to collect donations for the foundation. Haley, a Lexington Republican, has denied any wrongdoing.
Witnesses: Expected to include John Rainey, a GOP activist who filed the complaint that started the case; four executives with her former employers; two former government officials; two lobbyists; and two other company executives. Haley could testify, too.
Judge/jury: S.C. House Ethics Committee, made up of five Republicans and one Democrat.
Possible punishment: If found to have violated ethics laws, Haley could be reprimanded or fined, and the case could be referred to the S.C. attorney general to determine if it warranted criminal prosecution.
LIVE HEARING
You can see today’s and Friday’s committee hearing live online HERE.
Haley’s SC foundation mixes service, connections
