SC Lt. Gov. Ard’s Campaign Files Campaign Report

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard’s campaign is reporting nearly $283,000 in debt. Ard’s campaign report, filed Monday, shows that the Republican facing a State Grand Jury investigation had nearly $32,000 in cash on hand. Ard’s lawyer said Tuesday the report was misfiled for the 2010 election cycle and didn’t show up in his 2014 filings. Ard paid the second largest ethics fine in South Carolina history following a state Ethics Commission investigation into his use of campaign money for clothes, a flat-screen television and leisure travel. That investigation is being reviewed by the State Grand Jury to see whether Ard will face indictment. Most of Ard’s ethics violations would be misdemeanors carrying penalties of fines up to $5,000 each and a year in prison if convicted.