SC House Ethics discussing decision on Gov Haley

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House Ethics Committee is discussing whether to reopen an ethics complaint against Gov. Nikki Haley.

The committee went behind closed doors Friday to seek attorney advice after hearing for an hour from the measure’s sponsor and Haley’s attorney.

Rep. James Smith is asking the Republican-controlled panel to reconsider its decision to drop all charges after it unanimously found probable cause to investigate the charges. The Columbia Democrat says the back-to-back votes gave an appearance the process was a sham.

Haley’s lawyer, Butch Bowers, says the committee did its job, and Smith’s measure is nothing more than a political witch hunt.

Republican activist John Rainey brought the original complaint and has appealed the committee’s decision to the full House. Rainey did not attend Friday’s hearing.