South Carolina Lt. Gov. resigns amid ethics charges
(CNN) – South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard announced Friday he was resigning after an investigation by the Palmetto State's ethics commission found that he misused campaign funds.
The inquiry centered upon whether or not Ard used funds allocated to his 2010 political campaign for personal items, including clothing, electronics and personal travel.
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Ard, a Republican, ultimately admitted to violating state election law in a signed consent order to the ethics commission. The order mandated he pay $48,400 in fines for his misuse of campaign funds, as well as reimburse the state $12,500 for administration costs related to the investigation.
In a statement, Ard said he alone was responsible for the campaign spending discrepancies, and that he regretted putting his supporters and constituents through the ethics investigation process.
"During my campaign, it was my responsibility to make sure things were done correctly," Ard said in a statement. "I did not do that. There are no excuses nor is there need to share blame. It is my fault that the events of the past year have taken place."
Ard added, "I am deeply sorry and take full responsibility for the entire situation."
Prior to his election as South Carolina's lieutenant governor, Ard served as president of the state Senate and was a member of the Florence County Council. Before his political career Ard ran his family's automotive business.
In a statement, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, also a Republican, thanked Ard and his wife for their service.
"They are good people who have given much of their time and efforts to Florence and the state as a whole," Haley said. "I valued Ken's partnership and wish Ken and his family all of the best going forward. I look forward to continuing the progress South Carolina has made in the last 15 months with our next Lieutenant Governor."
South Carolina Republican Party chairman Chad Connelly wrote in a statement, "Lieutenant Governor Ard has taken responsibility for his actions. His resignation will help our state move past this sad and unfortunate incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ken and his family during this time."
The South Carolina statehouse has seen more than its share of ethics questions in the past several years. Former Gov. Mark Sanford fought impeachment battles after disappearing on a mysterious trip in the summer of 2009. The two-term Republican governor eventually admitted he had gone to Argentina to see his mistress-a woman he called his "soul mate."
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A republican violating ethics once again. What else is new?
All the while, these people try to restrict voting privileges. What hypocrites.
Funny, republicans always looking at democrats why don't they start looking in their own backyard for these things. Bet everyone will be silent, you won't hear a word on this issue from them.
Yet another thing the GOP does not need "Ethics Violations".
Now if they can get rid of that loser Nikki Haley, they can begin to regain some respect down there in SC. Of course, they still have DeMint, and others of his ilk.
Good, get rid of him. No tolerance for any of this BS. But I'm not sure why he resigned. Democrats never do. They just stay in office and promise not to get caught again. Charlie Rangel is still in the House. Tax cheat Timmie is still in the Whitehouse.
Dang that Obama!!
Look at what he's done! He's influenced all these things happening. Look at our fuel costs! Obama influenced specualators to speculate fuel costs. He made companies go overseas from 30 years ago with his rules and regulations. Heck, we can just blame everything on him. Don't even try to blame Nikki Haley. She didn't know what she's been signin' off on.
AW !! Caught him ! At least he has the decency to resign once he was caught.
More than can be said about most of the losers.
Obviously this is Obama's fault, too. *rolls eyes*
Sure you will racegirl1! They'll either accuse the dems of much worse behavior (although they never provide facts to back up their claims) or blame the "librul" media.
Why does it seem that we hear more about Republicans misusing campaign funds for personal items than we hear about Democrats doing the same? Could it be a sport among the GOP to see who can take more and not get caught?
Oh, well, at least the Democrats have Lyndon Johnson and Mayor Daley of Chicago winning elections by making sure all the cemetery residents got to vote for them.
Another Republican goes down in flames for ethics violations. The Republicans know their in big trouble in November when their cast of clowns keep showing America that they're a bunch of fools that don't have a clue what is good for the country. They don't understand that a President needs to work for all the people not just the crazy Republican base that likes to grab headlines and dictate to the Republican party what they need to do. The Tea Potty poison is wearing off and some Republicans feel they can someday soon be a contributing factor for the good of the country working together with Democrats for a meaningful recovery from the failed BUSH-Republican experiment.
No way, an unethical Republican?
The inquiry centered upon whether or not Ard used funds allocated to his 2010 political campaign for personal items, including clothing, electronics and personal travel.
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Personal travel? That has a bad ringing echo to it. The SC Republicans seem unusually agreeable on moving past this investigation. Reminds of kids in a schoolyard getting their stories straight as to why Jimmy is crying and has a cut lip.
"He fell."
"That's right."
"He tripped and fell...."
"...while he was running."
Well, look at it this way.., this guy accepted full responsibility for his actions. Now, he didn't say why he did it, but, he said he and he alone was responsible. Good for him. Hmmm? Isn't there an active presidential candidate who has suffered some of the same ethical issues and continues to be in denial?
More lying, thieving Rethuglicans... What's new? Where is the outrage? If this were a Democrat we would never hear the end of it.
He should have invoked the Vitter defense, said he had been forgiven by Jesus, and he could have kept his job.
There is also Rep. Walsh, who earns an award from a Christian Conservative group while owing 117K in child support. But h's ok, because the Lord has forgiven him.
let me guess...rigging the vote for one of the two states Gingrich has won? or just caught in a scandal with Nikki Haley that would make our skin crawl!?
Ran an automotive business? Maybe he can hire Mitt after he loses.
The Republican field of candidates have done about all they can do to alienate most of the general electorate, except the racists and the very old evangelical whites.
and another repo bites the dust. It's thoses family values.you know.
He isn't the first nor will he be the last!
What is the deal with South Carolina? First Gov Sanford, now this guy?
Well, at least no one is claiming that he had an affair with Gov Haley. 🙂
Hey teabaggers!!! Where's your righteous outrage now!?