Public hearing set in Haley’s House Ethics case

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

The House Ethics Committee’s hearing in Columbia on Thursday is part of the panel’s first investigation of a sitting governor.

A complaint by long-time Republican activist John Rainey accuses Haley of illegally lobbying in previous jobs as a hospital fundraiser and consultant for an engineering firm with state contracts. Haley has said repeatedly she worked within the law.

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, then immediately dismissed all charges.

Rainey appealed, and a Democratic lawmaker asked the committee to reconsider.

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