Pascoe Statement on Federal Investigation Into Statehouse Corruption

(Orangeburg, SC) – Solicitor David Pascoe released the following statement today after news broke of the FBI investigating corruption at the South Carolina Statehouse:

“Today’s report that the FBI is investigating allegations of legislative corruption in South Carolina should concern every citizen in this state.

These allegations were raised publicly over a year ago. Also, other allegations of potential misconduct have been reported in the media for over a year now.  Yet no meaningful investigation was undertaken at the state level. That failure is not just disappointing, it’s completely unacceptable.

Government exists to serve the people, not to protect itself. When credible allegations of bribery surface and those in power choose to look the other way, it sends a clear message that the system is more interested in self-preservation than accountability.

It should not take federal authorities stepping in to do the job our state leaders have a responsibility to do. South Carolinians deserve better than silence, deflection and delay. They deserve leaders with the backbone to confront corruption, no matter where it leads. 

I know Senator Tom Fernandez. He spoke up when others would not. That kind of courage should be respected, not dismissed. When someone raises serious concerns about public corruption, the response should be an investigation, not an attempt to silence them.

For too long, South Carolina has lacked the will to police itself at the highest levels. That has to change. Accountability cannot depend on outside intervention. It must be a standard we enforce ourselves.

As your next Attorney General, I will immediately establish a public corruption unit. My promise to you is this – South Carolina will be the least corrupt state in America. “

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