Ard Indicted on 7 Counts; Case Focuses on 'Fictitious or Bogus Campaign Contributions'

From GreenvilleOnline.com

By Tim Smith and David Dykes

Lt. Governor Ken Ard presided over the SC Senate for the last time yesterday.

A state grand jury indicted former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard on seven counts of violating the State Ethics Act, Attorney General Alan Wilson today.

Ard, who had been the subject of a state grand jury probe into his campaign finances since last year, submitted his resignation this morning. All seven counts are misdemeanors, Wilson said.

Governor Nikki Haley: 'You Pay, You Play'

Board Appointees Provided Personal Flights

From The Post and Courier

By Jim Davenport (AP)

COLUMBIA — Donors that South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley appointed to state boards have also allowed her to use their airplanes for travel valued at more than $5,300, according to an analysis on Friday by The Associated Press.

The governor’s spokesman said the travel will be disclosed on ethics and campaign reports.

Donors who provided flights included Allen Amsler, chairman of the Department of Health and Environmental Control Commission. On Monday, Haley credited Amsler with helping Boeing Co. complete its assembly facility in North Charleston six months early. However, no one close to handling DHEC’s permits with Boeing knew of Amsler’s involvement in speeding approval for the project after Haley appointed him March.