House Dem Asks Panel to Reopen Haley Ethics Case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The House Ethics Committee chairman says a hearing is set on a measure asking his panel to reconsider its decision to drop charges against Gov. Nikki Haley. Rep. Roland Smith of Warrenville says a meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday. The six-member committee will take up a resolution introduced Tuesday by Rep. James Smith, asking the group to reopen the complaint. The committee voted 5-1 two weeks ago to dismiss allegations that Haley violated ethics rules while representing Lexington County in the House. Members voted that there was good reason to look further into the charges, then quickly voted to dismiss them anyway. A Republican activist who brought the original complaint has asked the full House to reconsider the case. Haley calls the issue a waste of time.