SC Rep. Viers charged with harassing ex-girlfriend

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Myrtle Beach Police say state Rep. Thad Viers was arrested after an ex-girlfriend says he continued to call, text and email for more than five months after they broke up.

Viers was charged with first-degree harassment Friday and was awaiting a bond hearing.

Police say the ex-girlfriend repeatedly told Viers to stop contacting her, but was reluctant to press charges because she didn’t want to hurt Viers’ political career.

The 33-year-old Myrtle Beach Republican served five terms in the South Carolina House and dropped out of the race for the newly-created 7th Congressional District after his arrest.

Investigators asked Viers to stop calling the woman last month. But the woman says Viers contacted her twice more, including a New Year’s Eve text.

Police didn’t know if Viers has an attorney.