SC Dems call on Republican Wilson to resign over corruption probe

The S.C. Democratic Party Monday called for Attorney General Alan Wilson to resign, citing emails he sent to a political consultant discussing the ongoing State House corruption probe.

Anthony Thompson, the S.C. Democratic Party’s second vice chairman, said emails between Wilson and political consultant Richard Quinn discussing the probe, led by special prosecutor David Pascoe, had the “appearance of collusion,” citing a Sunday article in the Charleston Post and Courier.

“The appearance of collusion exposed in yesterday’s Post and Courier makes it clear that the time has come for the attorney general to resign,” Thompson said. “At best, he has used poor judgment that compromises public faith in both the ongoing corruption probe and his office. At worst, he has participated in obstruction of justice.”

Wilson, a Lexington County Republican, is in his second term as S.C. attorney general.

The Post and Courier reported Wilson sought Quinn’s input as he drafted a 2014 letter seeking to remove Pascoe from the State House investigation. That probe originated with an investigation of then-House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, later indicted for misuse of campaign funds.

Wilson told the Post and Courier he wanted Quinn to review the letter for tone and grammar, and made no substantive changes based on his recommendations.

“Of course, I will not resign,” Wilson said in a statement Monday, responding to Democrats.

“The Democratic Party’s statement is laughable and ridiculous. If they bothered to look at the facts they would be embarrassed to have even suggested it.”

Wilson later removed Pascoe as special prosecutor. However, Pascoe challenged his dismissal and was reinstated by the S.C. Supreme Court.

Pascoe’s probe since has resulted in the indictment of three other legislators, including state Rep. Rick Quinn, R-Lexington, Richard Quinn’s son. Rep. Quinn was indicted in May on two counts of misconduct in office.

Last March, the offices of Richard Quinn’s consulting firm were raided by State Law Enforcement Division agents as part of Pascoe’s probe.

This story was originally published August 7, 2017 at 3:28 PM with the headline "SC Dems call on Republican Wilson to resign over corruption probe."