SC emails show threat of hearing prompted pact

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Emails between the State Ethics Commission and Gov. Nikki Haley’s attorney show she agreed to pay a fine and end allegations over donors’ missing addresses only after irritated commissioners nearly took an agreement off the table and called a public hearing.

A consent order Haley signed July 15 resolved a complaint filed by a Democratic Party employee two years earlier. She agreed to pay $3,500, reimburse the ethics agency $2,000, and forward money from eight donors, totaling nearly $4,200, to the Children’s Trust Fund.

Emails obtained by The State newspaper (http://bit.ly/1eNPqAO ) show that her attorney, Butch Bowers, tried to get the case dismissed or at least resolved without a fine, after the commission found probable case in March, 2012, that violations occurred.

She signed after the commission set a deadline.

___

Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com