Public hearing begins in Haley’s House Ethics case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s House Ethics panel has begun a public hearing over allegations that Gov. Nikki Haley engaged in illegal lobbying while a member of the House.

The committee’s hearing Thursday is part of the panel’s first investigation of a sitting governor. The panel has subpoenaed 11 witnesses.

A complaint by long-time Republican activist John Rainey accuses Haley of illegally lobbying in jobs as hospital fundraiser and consultant for an engineering firm with state contracts. The Republican governor has said she did nothing wrong.

The committee voted unanimously last month to reopen the case and hold the hearing. That vote came weeks after members found probable cause that violations had occurred, but dismissed all charges.

Rainey appealed. A Democratic lawmaker asked lawmakers to reconsider.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP