Rep. Rick Quinn may plead guilty today in State House corruption probe

State Rep. Rick Quinn, R-Lexington, may plead guilty to misconduct charges Wednesday, according to multiple sources.

A hearing at the Richland County courthouse concerning the State Grand Jury’s investigation into State House corruption has been scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, according to the clerk of that jury.

Quinn repeatedly has said he is innocent and said he is being hounded by a prosecutor’s “witch hunt.”

State Grand Jury clerk of court Jim Parks would not say what the subject is for Wednesday’s 4 p.m. hearing, which will be conducted by special prosecutor David Pascoe.

Pascoe’s investigation into public corruption at the State House is more than three years old. It has been marked by repeated attempts to stop the investigation or kick Pascoe off the case.

Since getting former House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, to plead guilty to misusing campaign money in October 2014, Pascoe has indicted six more people.

▪ One, former state Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Berkeley, has pleaded guilty to misconduct charges and is cooperating with Pascoe.

▪ A trial for state Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, accused of misconduct in office, has been set for Feb. 26.

▪ Two other former GOP legislators, Tracy Edge of Myrtle Beach and Jim Harrison of Columbia, and political consultant Richard Quinn are awaiting trial on various charges.

The charges are linked to allegations of illegal influence peddling by Richard Quinn’s political consulting firm, Richard Quinn & Associates.

All of the accused have maintained their innocence.

This story was originally published December 13, 2017 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Rep. Rick Quinn may plead guilty today in State House corruption probe."