House Ethics gives Harrell more time to prepare case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has agreed to give former House Speaker Bobby Harrell more time to challenge its order that he pay nearly $113,500 to the state.

The committee voted unanimously Monday to give Harrell’s new attorney time to present the former speaker’s side.

The panel had decided earlier that Harrell improperly paid his attorneys last year with campaign money and on Sept. 1 ordered him to pay the money within 30 days. Harrell complained he wasn’t given a chance to argue why he thought the payments were within the law.

The committee’s decision is based on its own 2012 advisory opinion that cautioned against using donations in defending lawsuits resulting from personal misconduct.

Harrell resigned last fall after pleading guilty to improperly using campaign money for his private plane.