Ex-SC House member indicted after sexual harassment claim

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former state Rep. Nelson Hardwick has been indicted in connection with a sexual harassment complaint from a House staffer.

Attorney General Alan Wilson said Monday the Richland County Grand Jury indicted the 64-year-old Surfside Beach Republican with misconduct in office.

Wilson says the indictment accuses Hardwick of using his position to lure a House of Representatives employee to his office earlier this year and to inappropriately touch her against her will.

Hardwick resigned from the state House in May after being informed that an independent investigation determined the allegations had merit. House Speaker Jay Lucas also told him he was sending the private law firm’s report to Wilson.

If convicted, Hardwick faces up to 10 years in prison. He did not immediately return a phone message Monday.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP