SC Supreme Court Reverses Lower Court’s Decision

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The South Carolina Supreme Court has reversed a ruling by a lower court in the investigation of alleged ethics violations involving House Speaker Bobby Harrell. The unanimous ruling came down late Wednesday afternoon. It states that Attorney General Alan Wilson was right to have a state grand jury consider allegations that Harrell used political power for personal gain. Previously, a lower court ruled differently saying Wilson needed approval from a legislative ethics panel before pursuing such a case. House Speaker Bobby Harrell released the following statement in response to today’s ruling, “We are disappointed with the court‘s ruling but in no way did the court take exception to our original contention that another prosecutor should take over this case because of the Attorney General‘s inappropriate conduct.” Harrell went on to say, “It was Judge Manning, not my attorneys, who brought up the jurisdictional issue in this case. The only thing we originally asked the court was for a fair and impartial prosecutor to be put in charge of this matter. As Supreme Court Justices clearly pointed out at the hearing, the Attorney General has improperly handled this case from the beginning.” Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office declined comment. ABC Columbia News is continuing to follow this story, stay with us for the very latest.