SC Democrat with Criminal Past Runs for Congress

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina Democratic leaders are trying to decide whether to support a convicted felon running for Congress as a Democrat. Bryan Lamont “Ryan B” Doyle of Aiken won this week’s Democratic primary the state’s 3rd Congressional district, which stretches along the state’s western edge. Federal court records show the 37-year-old Doyle was convicted in 2003 on six felony counts related to Medicare fraud and making false statements, resulting in a 30-month prison sentence. Doyle claims he was framed after his signature was forged. South Carolina law prohibits convicted felons from serving in state office. But there is no law barring felons from seeking federal office. State Democratic Party chairman Dick Harpootlian said Doyle’s criminal record doesn’t necessarily disqualify him for Washington, where fraud is a way of life.