Gov hopefuls’ disclosure claims off mark

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Two of South Carolina’s gubernatorial hopefuls say their opponents have milked the state and avoided reporting who pays them.

Disclosing who pays lawmakers is important but state ethics regulators said Monday that South Carolina’s ethics law isn’t being broken by any candidate.

That assessment comes as the state Republican Party and state Rep. Nikki Haley’s campaign question Democratic state Sen. Vincent Sheheen’s legal work and income. Sheheen’s campaign is running ads that claim Haley hid cash paid by a Columbia business.

State Ethics Commission executive director Herb Hayden said both candidates are following the law.

Cathy Hazelwood is the commission’s top lawyer and says other states have laws requiring more disclosure.
   
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