New bill aims to eliminate statute of limitations for prosecuting illegal lobbying

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — A new bill making its way through the State House would get rid of the current four year statute of limitations for prosecuting illegal lobbying.

House Bill 5247 was introduced on Tuesday by Representative Joe White.

“If misconduct is uncovered five years from now or 10 years from now, the people of South Carolina still deserve justice. Accountability should not expire,” says White.

Joining White at the State House podium was Solicitor David Pascoe — who says he has only seen one conviction for illegal lobbying in 30 years.

“Now do the people of SC really believe there’s only been one time in the history of our state up here in our lobby that there’s been illegal lobbying? I don’t think so,” says Pascoe, adding, “In South Carolina, illegal lobbying is the only crime with a statute of limitations — and that was reported in the State Grand Jury report.”

They believe the statute of limitations are often reached because of investigation delays.

“It can take years to find the emails, the money trail, the coordination. Sometimes prosecutors don’t even discover the wrongdoing until years later,” says White.

They find that the vast majority of lobbyists do their job the right way, but a few… don’t. And they say the statute allows the lobbyists to get away with wrongdoing.

“I think it’s wrong. I don’t think that lobbyists and legislators should be treated any differently than you should be treated,” says White.

The bill has been referred to the SC Judiciary Committee and has until the end of session in May to pass into law. Should it not be taken up for consideration, White says he will push it again next session.