Facebook Spat: Gov. Haley vs Sen. Shealy

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “Dir. Koller is not an atheist, I wish you and Sen. Shealy would quit spreading that lie. She is Jewish and the daughter of Holocaust survivors,” post on Gov. Haley’s Facebook page That comment was made in response to another comment claiming Department of Social Services Director, Lillian Koller is Atheist, which was in response to another to a post stating Haley’s pride in Koller. Koller, who mentioned her upbringing in Wednesday’s DSS hearing, testified before a Senate Subcommittee about child deaths. She claimed the deaths have declined 25% since 2007. ‘In 2011, 67 fatalities were reported with DSS involvement. In 2013, 67 fatalities were reported with DSS involvement, how is that a 25% decline?'” asked Senator Joel Lourie, D – Richland. Back on Facebook, a response from Haley’s page to the religion claim is one of 72 comments, including Shealy’s reply stating her disappointment in the accusation and her adamant claim didn’t spread the rumor. Shealy posted on her Facebook page that she asked the governor about a rumor months ago and, in confidence, was told Koller is Jewish. Shealy says she accepted it and that was the end of the conversation. Shealy went on to say, “I care about the children of South Carolina, I don’t give a flying flip… well, that is not true either, I would worry if she were Atheist, but I was told she wasn’t so why would they bring that back up??” Shealy told ABC Columbia, by phone Thursday, that she thinks the entire thing is childish and isn’t sure Governor Haley actually wrote the posts herself. We contacted the governor’s office for a comment and to see if Haley did, in fact, make the posts. We have not heard back. Shealy says she still supports the governor and wishes this hadn’t happened.