Timeline of Wilson’s role in the SC legislative probe

A history of S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson and his office’s role in the investigation of House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, and other unnamed legislators mentioned in a report from the State Law Enforcement Division:

July 24, 2014: Wilson asks 1st Circuit Solcitor David Pascoe to take over the investigation of Harrell after legal challenges and, he said, “baseless accusations concerning the Attorney General’s lack of impartiality” shut down the State Grand Jury investigation.

“I have every confidence that you will do an excellent job in this undertaking should you agree to accept it,” Wilson wrote. “It is critical that this investigation continue to its appropriate conclusion. and based upon your credibility, professionalism and integrity, I know you will do just that.”

Pascoe wins indictments against Harrell on charges of misusing campaign contributions and misconduct in office seven weeks later.

Oct. 2, 2014: After receiving an email from Pascoe, Wilson emails his chief deputy, John McIntosh, to request that McIntosh become supervising prosecutor in any further investigation of possible corruption by other lawmakers whose names were redacted in the public release of SLED’s Harrell report.

“As this office moves forward with this investigation there might be inherent conflicts between myself and members of the house (sic) referenced in the email,” Wilson wrote. “I would have no further involvement in a case involving these specific members where such a conflict might arise. Please ensure I am firewalled from any involvement in that specific instance.”

Three weeks later, Harrell pleads guilty to misusing campaign money and resigns from office.

July 17, 2015: McIntosh writes to SLED Chief Mark Keel and asks that he send any findings from an investigation of legislators to Pascoe “for a prosecutive decision.”

“As you are aware, the Attorney General recused this office from the legislative members in the redacted portions of the SLED report but has not recused this office from any other matters,” McIntosh wrote.

July 24, 2015: Assistant Deputy Attorney General Creighton Waters writes to Pascoe that “out of abundance of caution” McIntosh will send investigation findings from SLED to Pascoe.

March 28, 2016: Pascoe writes to McIntosh to say that the attorney general’s office blocked his efforts to start a State Grand Jury investigation. Pascoe said he did not return calls from McIntosh “because the Attorney General recused your office from this investigation. To attempt to un-recuse your office is in my opinion inconsistent with the law.”

McIntosh writes to Pascoe on the same day that only the Attorney General can start a State Grand Jury investigation and that Pascoe was supposed to seek Wilson’s approval. McIntosh fires Pascoe as the case’s special prosecutor “based upon my conclusion that all prosecutors must follow the law.”

March 28, 2016: McIntosh assigns the case to 5th Circuit Solicitor Dan Johnson, saying that while Wilson has recused himself, the Attorney General cannot “abdicate his duties to supervise the State Grand Jury or his constitutional authority as the state’s chief prosecutor.” Johnson delays accepting the appointment before the S.C. Supreme Court rules on Pascoe’s complaint to remain on the case.

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Timeline of Wilson’s role in the SC legislative probe."