Ken Ard Resigns: South Carolina Lt. Governor Steps Down Amid Criminal Investigation

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned Friday amid a criminal investigation.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned Friday amid a criminal investigation into his use of campaign funds.

Ard, who was elected in 2010 alongside Republican Gov. Nikki Haley, was accused of spending campaign funds on personal items and charged last year with 107 ethics violations by the State Ethics Commission. After winning election, Ard used leftover money from his campaign to pay for iPads, clothing, food and a family vacation, among other items.

The ethics commission forced Ard to pay about $70,000 in fines and reimbursements, the second largest ethics fine in state history. Last July, the ethics case became a criminal one after South Carolina's attorney general, Alan Wilson, referred Ard's case to a grand jury.

Wilson is scheduled to give a press conference Friday afternoon to discuss the grand jury investigation into Ard's improper expenditures.

In a letter sent to Haley and state senators on Friday, Ard apologized for his actions and took responsibility for failing to make sure the money was properly spent.

"During my campaign, it was my responsibility to make sure things were done correctly," he wrote. "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."

He concluded, "Once again, I am deeply sorry and take full responsibility for the entire situation."

In a Friday statement, Haley thanked Ard for his service.

"I valued Ken's partnership and wish Ken and his family all of the best going forward," Haley said. "I look forward to continuing the progress South Carolina has made in the last 15 months with our next lieutenant governor."

Per state law, South Carolina's Senate President Pro Tem Glen McConnell is slated to step in as lieutenant governor.

But as South Carolina's The State reports, McConnell would be giving up a much more powerful role if he stepped in to fill Ard's largely ceremonial post. Another state senator, John Courson, has stated he would be willing to take the position, but would not seek re-election at the end of Ard's term.

UPDATE 2:21 PM:

At a Friday press conference, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that the state grand jury has indicted Ard on seven counts of ethics violation.

McConnell has announced that he will step in to fill Ard's post.

In a Friday statement, McConnell said he intended to "carry out the Constitution as [he] swore to do in accordance with the language as was written."

Comments

[echome]

01:42 PM on 03/12/2012

It seems like Nikki and her whole team has either been screwing lobbyists or the state. I'll bet the lobbyists had more fun.

[me again]

11:50 AM on 03/11/2012

Nixter next.

[Wanda Glass]

11:33 AM on 03/11/2012

When these crooks start doing hard time for their greed and corruption, maybe then politics will start cleaning up as well. He can go sit in the clink next to Illinois' govenor(S)! Throw away the key.....

[kateslate]

07:25 PM on 03/10/2012

I get no joy from discovering wrongdoing by any public servant, and there seem to be plenty on both sides. Let us continue with our systems of checks and balances and fully fund those agencies that uncover fraud in all areas of government and where government intersects with the private sector. Seems like more stories are appearing every week about yet another fraudster of one sort or another. I like that this admin is focusing on that.

[DuffyShort]

03:12 PM on 03/10/2012

Another indication of the pervading criminal culture among white, wealthy, Americans......Those people will never learn.....TIC

[Wanda Glass]

11:35 AM on 03/11/2012

Because they've padded their bank accounts so full (and of course no jail time) they'll live comfortably the rest of their lives. AND they'll get their lifetime pensions, too! Paid for/by us, the taxpayers. Sickening....

[Rdmptn]

02:48 PM on 03/10/2012

No one in South Carolina should be surprised by this. They keep voting for the same corrupt, sleazy people and expecting a different result. The person who's taking his place is a congressman who owns a confederate store and wears Confederate costumes for reenactments.

[atravelinturtle]

02:41 PM on 03/10/2012

Oh, those repugs know how to govern.

[cliffstep]

02:32 PM on 03/10/2012

Memo to Rush: This is what an apology looks like.
Again , the problem is money and politics.

[Devin Garner]

01:43 PM on 03/10/2012

This begs the question what did she know and when did she know it?

[camelias and sweet tea]

02:14 PM on 03/10/2012

fanned from S.C....it sure does.
Not that she does not have enought troubles of her own.
Largest budget in S.C. State History
Huge pay raises for her staff when she came in as Gov.
and more....

[oneleg]

01:00 PM on 03/10/2012

Gee another GOP c(R)iminal. Go figure. GOP= CRIMINAL.

[Veneita]

12:16 PM on 03/10/2012

He resigned, pled guilty to 7 counts hit a $5,000 fine, 5 years probation, and 300 hours of community service in less than 6 hours.

[Jimtoday]

10:54 AM on 03/10/2012

Republicans are very bad with money. South Carolina must be trying to oust New Jersey and Louisiana from the top of the "Ungovernable States" pile!

[nlkennedy]

02:42 PM on 03/10/2012

It's the things they are bad at, that they somehow convice the public during election cycles that they are good at.

Economy, national security, military egagement, and economic recovery and fiscal policy.

They claim to be the leaders of these issues, when in reality, they are the purveyors of failure.

[DevonTexas]

10:20 AM on 03/10/2012

" Last July, the ethics case became a criminal one after South Carolina's attorney general, Alan Wilson, referred Ard's case to a grand jury."

Who did he piss off?

[Raccoon1]

02:07 PM on 03/10/2012

Lady Justice?

[O K Ali]

10:07 AM on 03/10/2012

Still want your country back, SC?

[1johnf]

09:28 AM on 03/10/2012

What the hell is it with that palmetto flavored water? It turns people all crooked.