Watchdog Crangle co-teaching public corruption class

John Crangle knows a thing or two about public corruption, having led S.C. Common Cause for nearly 30 years and written a book on “Operation Lost Trust” – a 1990s federal sting operation that ensnared S.C. lawmakers in indictments on corruption charges.

The ethics watchdog is co-teaching a University of South Carolina law school class on the subject along with longtime law professor Kenneth Gaines.

Crangle said he has concerns about a number of attorneys who get caught up in misconduct as public officials.

In addition, lawyers such as Columbia attorney Butch Bowers have developing an expertise in the subject defending high profile South Carolina politicians who fended off ethics allegations.

Because attorneys are helping public officials prevent campaign violations and defending them against allegations, Crangle started the course to help those young lawyers learn more about campaign finance law.

Guest speakers for the class include Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, former and current S.C. Ethics Commission attorneys Cathy Hazelwood and Michael Burchstead, and House Ethics Committee member Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Richland.

This story was originally published September 3, 2016 at 5:18 PM.