COLOMBIA – Control of the SC Statehouse corruption investigation, which resulted in charges against six lawmakers and a leading political agent, but led to years of legal and public relations disputes between Special Prosecutor David Pascoe and Attorney General Alan Wilson, was solved.
Pascoe sent a letter to Wilson on February 16, delivering the remaining two cases of the eight-year investigation to the attorney general.
Pascoe made the decision after the state Supreme Court ruled in January that the 1st Circuit attorney assigned to the investigation after the attorney general’s office stepped down citing conflicts of interest that went beyond his authority to sue former state deputy Jim Harrison .
Pascoe was to sue only lawmakers named in a 2014 State Law Enforcement Division investigative report. Harrison, a Columbia Republican who once chaired the House Judiciary Committee, was not among those named in the report, but was convicted of misconduct in office and perjury.
“Citizens should not be asked to take more risks of interruption and delay in the remainder of this investigation,” wrote Pascoe to Wilson. “Although our offices have had legal differences in this matter, you and I share an oath common to the citizens of South Carolina. Therefore, in the interest of avoiding any delay in this matter, I intend to provide your office with all investigative materials in my possession and interrupt my involvement with the other criminal defendants. “
Pascoe, considered a likely choice as the next United States attorney for South Carolina, offered Wilson to help with the remaining cases.
Pascoe called the legislative corruption process “a Sisyphean task”
“But the effort it takes to bring corruption to light is unquestionably rewarding and I am incredibly proud of the work done by dedicated SLED and FBI agents, as well as the prosecutors in my office to bring it to light,” he added.
Pascoe said he does not comment beyond his letter. A spokesman for Wilson said he did not comment on the news.
This story is developing and will be updated.