Ex-Winthrop president fined $4K for violating ethics law

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Winthrop University’s former president has agreed to pay a $4,000 ethics fine for arranging a job for her husband at the public college in Rock Hill.

In a State Ethics Commission order provided Tuesday to The Associated Press, Jamie Williamson admits unintentionally violating state ethics laws that bar public employees from using their position to benefit family members.

Larry Williamson began working as Winthrop’s part-time government liaison shortly after she became president in summer 2013.

The former president contends the college’s trustees not only knew about the job but discussed a role for him months before her arrival. In February 2014, her husband returned the $27,000 he received over nine months.

Jamie Williamson was fired in June 2014.

Her attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment.