SC Justices to Decide Prosecutor Dispute in Corruption Case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina’s highest court is now considering whether a prosecutor other than the attorney general can open a state grand jury investigation.

For an hour Wednesday, the state Supreme Court heard arguments from Solicitor David Pascoe and an attorney representing Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Pascoe is suing Wilson, saying Pascoe had the authority to open a state grand jury probe into legislative corruption because Wilson had turned the case over to him because of a possible conflict.

Wilson says state law allows only him to start a grand jury investigation and Pascoe overstepped his authority and tainted the case by leaking information to reporters.

Wilson picked Pascoe to handle the investigation into former House Speaker Bobby Harrell, but their working relationship has become a public feud.