SC Democrats call for open ethics investigations

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Senate Democrats want to remove the secrecy that surrounds investigations by the House and Senate ethics committees.

A bill advocated Wednesday by several Democrats and the director of a government watchdog group would make investigations subject to the state’s public records law once committee members determine a complaint has merit.

The measure comes amid a possible investigation of Gov. Nikki Haley.

Last month, a circuit judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Haley of breaking ethics laws while she was a legislator, saying such issues should be handled by either state ethics officials or a legislative panel.

Whether the case was sent to the House Ethics Committee is unknown, since its proceedings are secret.

The Republican governor has said she would not waive confidentiality to any legislative ethics investigation.