The wife of a well-known legislative lobbyist has cited his alleged affair with Gov. Nikki Haley as one of the reasons that she wants a divorce.
Earlier this month, Jennifer Marchant filed for divorce from Larry Marchant, who said he had a one-night stand with Haley at a 2008 school-choice conference in Salt Lake City. Marchant described the relationship as a “one-time indiscretion.”
Haley, then a Republican state representative from Lexington, vehemently has denied she had an affair. At the time, she said the allegation was an attempt by a rival GOP gubernatorial candidate to smear her reputation. Marchant resigned from then-Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer’s campaign after claiming the affair.
The divorce lawsuit does not name Haley. Instead, it says Larry Marchant publicly admitted in June 2010 to an affair with “a woman well-known to the parties and the citizens of the state of South Carolina.” Jennifer Marchant said she was humiliated and embarrassed, and unable to appear in public for some time. However, she said she forgave Marchant.
Jennifer Marchant also claims in the lawsuit that her husband since has had two more affairs.
Marchant could not be reached for comment.
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