Walker fined for political signs on town equipment at Irmo Okra Strut

State ethics officials fined Irmo Town Councilman Barry Walker $400 for putting political signs on a town-rented golf cart he drove in the Okra Strut festival parade last September.

The fine was imposed as part of a reprimand by the State Ethics Commission made public Thursday.

Ethics officials ruled that Walker “inadvertently and unintentionally” violated a ban on using public equipment to promote candidates.

The signs were displayed after he mistakenly believed the cart was rented with private donations instead of public money, the decision said.

It’s an error that won’t be repeated, Walker said.

Town resident George Glassmeyer, who complained to ethics officials about the signs, said he is satisfied that Walker’s action was found to be improper.

Both Town Council candidates that Walker favored lost at the polls later.