Lawyer asks for rehearing in Spence estate case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Lawyers for an attorney and former interim state treasurer want the South Carolina Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to allow a lawsuit against him by the widow of U.S. Rep. Floyd Spence to go forward.

Kenneth Wingate’s attorneys filed their notice Tuesday requesting the justices rehear the case. The Supreme Court ruled Oct. 17 that a trial court should decide if Wingate acted in the best interest of Deborah Spence as she dealt with her late husband’s estate.

Wingate’s attorneys say if the justices’ decision stands, lawyers could be liable simply for suggesting a different attorney when they have a conflict of interest.

Deborah Spence sued Wingate in 2002, saying his advice caused her to take a negotiated settlement that lost her a substantial amount of money.