Top SC attorney to review Lt Gov Ard’s ethics case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s attorney general is reviewing Lt. Gov. Ken Ard’s campaign spending case, which brought the state’s second largest ethics fines.

Attorney general spokesman Mark Plowden said Tuesday the case would be reviewed to see if it merits criminal prosecution in the future. If it does, that investigation would be done by the State Law Enforcement Division.

The Post and Courier of Charleston was first to report the review. Ard did not respond to an interview request Tuesday, but his attorney has said there was no intention to mislead.

On Thursday, Ard paid a $48,400 fine for 107 violations and agreed to reimburse the state Ethics Commission $12,500 for its investigation. The Republican said he will also repay his campaign about $12,000.