June 6, 2018 •
South Carolina Lawmaker Resigns After Entering Guilty Plea
State Sen. John Courson resigned from the South Carolina Legislature on Monday, June 4, after pleading guilty to willful misconduct and agreeing to cooperate with ongoing ethics investigations. Courson, a former Senate president pro tempore who served 33 years in […]
State Sen. John Courson resigned from the South Carolina Legislature on Monday, June 4, after pleading guilty to willful misconduct and agreeing to cooperate with ongoing ethics investigations.
Courson, a former Senate president pro tempore who served 33 years in the state Legislature, was indicted last year on multiple corruption charges stemming from his conversion of campaign money for personal use.
A special election will be called to fill the District 20 seat.
September 6, 2017 •
South Carolina Lawmaker Resigns
State Rep. Jim Merrill resigned from the Legislature last week, just prior to appearing in court. He has been suspended from office since December, when he was indicted on two counts of misconduct in office and 28 counts of violating […]
State Rep. Jim Merrill resigned from the Legislature last week, just prior to appearing in court.
He has been suspended from office since December, when he was indicted on two counts of misconduct in office and 28 counts of violating state ethics laws. While many of the charges are misdemeanors, he could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Merrill is the second legislator to resign amid recent corruption charges. Former state House Speaker Bobby Harrell plead guilty in October 2014 to ethics-related charges and resigned.
Similar charges are currently pending against Rep. Rick Quinn and Sen. John Courson. Both remain suspended while awaiting trial.
June 6, 2014 •
South Carolina Senate Has Work For Veto Session
Lawmakers adjourned the regular session on Thursday, June 5, 2014, but will return for a veto session on June 17. House Bill 3945, the ethics reform bill, passed the House, but was filibustered by Sen. Lee Bright. The Senate will […]
Lawmakers adjourned the regular session on Thursday, June 5, 2014, but will return for a veto session on June 17. House Bill 3945, the ethics reform bill, passed the House, but was filibustered by Sen. Lee Bright. The Senate will have a final opportunity to vote on the measure during the veto session.
Gov. Nikki Haley confirmed on Twitter she would sign the bill if passed.
The Senate is also expected to select a new President Pro Tem, who will automatically be promoted to lieutenant governor and replace retiring Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell. Former President Pro Tem John Courson resigned to avoid becoming lieutenant governor.
The lieutenant governor’s office could be vacant if Glenn McConnell is selected as the College of Charleston’s next president on July 1. Senate President Pro Tempore John Courson is next in line to become lieutenant governor, but said he would […]
The lieutenant governor’s office could be vacant if Glenn McConnell is selected as the College of Charleston’s next president on July 1. Senate President Pro Tempore John Courson is next in line to become lieutenant governor, but said he would not take the office if school trustees choose McConnell.
South Carolina would not have a lieutenant governor until January, 2015 when the winner of the November general election takes the oath of office. A constitutional amendment passed in 2012 will end the separate ticket for lieutenant governor beginning with the 2018 election.
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