Report: SC agency tasked with addressing inequities adrift

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A report by the state inspector general says the agency tasked with addressing socio-economic disparities faced by South Carolina’s minority residents lacks leadership and vision.

Patrick Maley’s review shows many share the blame for what he calls “mission drift” at the 22-year-old agency.

The Commission on Minority Affairs’ governing board didn’t even meet for 16 months, citing too many vacancies in the seats Gov. Nikki Haley is responsible for filling. The report also faults lawmakers for oversight failures. The agency failed twice in the last five years to turn in its required accountability report. Maley writes the three it did submit should have raised red flags.

Director Thomas Smith said Wednesday he gets the message that the agency needs to take a leadership role in working toward systemic change.