After SLED refusal, Bobby Harrell photo released

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A photograph of suspended House Speaker Bobby Harrell taken as he was fingerprinted and processed after his court appearance this week has been released, a day after the State Law Enforcement Division refused to do so.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports (http://bit.ly/1oBL70U ) Harrell’s photo was released Wednesday by 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe’s office.

SLED initially told the newspaper that since Harrell was not formally arrested or booked at a jail, the photo is part of the agency’s case file, which cannot be released because the case in in court.

South Carolina Press Association lawyer Jay Bender said it looked like SLED was giving Harrell preferential treatment.

Harrell faces misdemeanor charges that he misused his office for personal gain and lied to law enforcement about his campaign expenses.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com