Bobby Harrell formally resigns from SC Statehouse

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former House Speaker Bobby Harrell has formally submitted his resignation from the South Carolina Legislature.

Harrell officially quit the seat he has held since 1993 in a letter sent Thursday to House Clerk Charles Reid.

The resignation was part of a plea deal Harrell entered earlier that day in court in Columbia. He was sentenced to serve three years probation after pleading guilty to six campaign finance violation.

Harrell also agreed not to seek or hold political office for three years and to pay more than $100,000 in fines and restitution.

Prosecutors said Harrell improperly used campaign money to pay for flights on his private plane. The Charleston Republican said he disagreed with the charges but pleaded guilty because he and his family couldn’t handle fighting any longer.

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