Campaign cash: Democrats urge Lt. Gov. to resign

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democrats called Thursday for the immediate resignation of Lieutenant Governor Ken Ard as his ethics case heads to a state grand jury, calling on Republicans to stop working on backroom deals to replace him.

Three weeks ago, Ard paid the state Ethics Commission a $48,000 fine after being hit with 107 civil counts of using campaign cash for personal expenses.

Authorities say those included a family vacation, iPads, a flat-screen television, clothes, meals and a trip to the SEC championship game last fall.

He also had to pay $12,500 to cover the costs of the state ethics investigation and had to reimburse his campaign $12,000.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Alan Wilson referred questions about the ethics investigation to the state grand jury. The developments prompted calls from South Carolina’s Democratic leadership for Ard to step down.