House Ethics gives Harrell more time to prepare case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has agreed to give former House Speaker Bobby Harrell more time to challenge its directive that he pay nearly $113,500 to the state.

The committee voted unanimously Monday following a request from Harrell’s new attorney. It will likely meet again next month.

The panel decided Sept. 1 that Harrell improperly used donations to pay his attorneys last year and sent a letter telling him to pay the money within 30 days. Harrell complained he wasn’t given a chance to argue why he thought the payments were allowed.

The committee’s decision is based on its own 2013 advisory opinion that cautioned against using donations in defending lawsuits resulting from personal misconduct.

Harrell resigned last fall after pleading guilty to improperly using campaign money for his private plane.