Ethics panel drops allegations against attorney general

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The State Ethics Commission has dropped allegations that Attorney General Alan Wilson took eight donations exceeding the legal limit during his re-election campaign.

South Carolina’s top prosecutor was accused of violating the ethics law by taking donations above the $3,500-per-election-cycle limit.

His attorney, Rep. James Smith, said Wednesday the campaign did so unintentionally and has already returned the money. The board rejected Smith’s request to treat the donations as technical violations. Commissioners also refused to take back their “probable cause” finding that a violation occurred.

But commissioners voted unanimously to take no further action.

Commissioners also voted to correct documents released in January indicating they cleared Wilson of the allegations. While they dismissed complaints filed by someone who was uncooperative, they directed staff to pursue the issue separately.