SC state Rep. RJ May suspended from Freedom Caucus amid federal criminal investigation
READ MORE
State Rep. Robert “RJ” May
South Carolina State Rep. Robert “RJ” May of Lexington County has been indicted on 10 federal counts of distributing child sexual abuse material.
Expand All
State Rep. RJ May, R-Lexington, whose home was searched by federal agents in August, was suspended from the state’s Freedom Caucus “some time ago,” according to the group’s chairman state Rep. Jordan Pace.
“We haven’t published our membership yet, and frankly, I don’t know if we’re gonna do that in December, right before Christmas,” Pace said, asserting that May was a suspended member.
It is unclear when May was suspended. In a November news conference outlining the Freedom Caucus’ priorities, Pace, a Berkeley County Republican, said he expected to have 20 to 22 members.
“If he’s a member of the House, and there’s no reason to exclude him,” Pace said of May at the time.
On Wednesday, when asked about what a “suspension” means for members of the Freedom Caucus, and May’s chance of rejoining the group, Pace said, “if someone gets indicted for something and they’re suspended from the House, what does that mean? If circumstances change, then circumstances change. But under the current circumstances, he’s suspended from the caucus.”
According to South Carolina House rules, an arrest and charge does not necessarily trigger a suspension from the General Assembly.
A grand jury would have to indict a lawmaker for the House speaker to suspend the member. Then, the matter would be referred to the House Ethics Committee.
Agents from the Department of Homeland Security searched a home belonging to May on Aug. 5, and seized various electronic equipment including a Lenovo laptop, an Amazon tablet, four cell phones, four hard drives, four SD cards, two DVD-Rs and 19 thumb drives.
According to court documents filed in October, federal prosecutors indicated May may be involved in an upcoming criminal indictment but did not say on what charges might be included in an indictment.
Pace’s confirmation of May’s suspension is the first public acknowledgment the hard-line conservative group of lawmakers is distancing themselves from one of the Freedom Caucus founders. FitsNews first reported of May’s suspension Wednesday.
Up until Wednesday, it was not made clear to reporters whether or not May was a member of the Freedom Caucus. As the former vice chairman and a main driver of the South Carolina chapter of the organization, May told reporters on Dec. 3 and Wednesday that all questions about his membership within the group should be referred to Pace.
Pace declined to say why the caucus suspended May and would only say the Lexington County lawmaker was suspended “some time ago.”
May dismissed multiple questions Dec. 3 about the the court filing detailing the search of his home and instead talked about his legislative role.
“I’m just looking forward to representing the people of District 88 and doing the job I was elected to do,” May said to a State reporter Dec. 3 on his way to the House chamber. When asked whether he wanted to run again for his former Freedom Caucus leadership role, May said no, and added it was “past my time.”
On Dec. 3, Pace said he wasn’t aware of any reason why May shouldn’t be a part of the group and added the caucus had yet to post an official list of members.
He also said on Dec. 3 that whether May would be a part of the Freedom Caucus would be determined by “how the votes played out.” The Freedom Caucus is by invitation, he said, but it’s about policy and the way potential members vote.
He also said on Dec. 3 the group is open to inviting members who vote for “conservative policies,” and are “willing to be courageous in the face of adversity.”
On Dec. 3, May said “I would tell you that I’ve been elected to a job, and I’m going to continue to do that job, and that’s to be one of the most conservative members of the House. I will continue to vote. I’m sure my vote on the board will be very similar to 17, 18 (or) 20 members of the House.”
On Wednesday, Pace said “we’ll see,” regarding a question concerning when the caucus would release an official member list. He added as far as he was aware, former members of the Freedom Caucus would return to the group for the upcoming legislative session, except for May.
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 10:38 AM.
