Nikki Haley On South Carolina State Worker Who Leaked Medicaid Data: 'Slam Him To The Wall'

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (L) attends a meeting of the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room of the White House February 27, 2012 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is showing no mercy toward a state worker in hot water.

Christopher Lykes Jr. was arrested on Thursday April 19 on charges of violating medical confidentiality laws and disclosing confidential information, the AP reports. According to South Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, Lykes leaked the data of over 228,000 Medicaid patients, leaving Haley feeling quite heated.

“I told [South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel] to slam him to the wall," Haley said on Monday, according to The State. "Do whatever we can to make an example of him."

Haley added that state agency supervisors are also on the hot seat, noting that "they will get fired" if similar incidents occur under their watch.

As Haley continues to serve her South Carolina role, speculation looms regarding her spot as a possible Mitt Romney vice presidential candidate. Haley dismissed that idea last month, noting that if asked by Romney, she "would say no." But a May 1 report by The Greenville News has experts still pointing to her as a possibility, citing the boost she would give Romney with women voters and the Tea Party.

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Comments

[sabela]

06:26 PM on 05/02/2012

I told [South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel] to slam him to the wall," Haley said on Monday, according to The State. "Do whatever we can to make an example of him."

How about they just prosecute him to the full extent the law allows in stead of slam him to the wall. That would take care of the whole make an example of him.

[Appleton]

06:15 PM on 05/02/2012

The remaining Republican women with a lick of sense are gone. The current crop, including Gov. Haley, are Tea Party creations, possessing all of the broad appeal of a glass harmonica band. I can think of no reason that Gov. Romney would conclude that his candidacy would benefit from a woman on the ticket.

[Ruth Rocchio]

03:53 PM on 05/02/2012

Nikki Haley is a depressing example of tea party influx and the incompetence it brings. I hope she will be unseated in the next election.

[therblig]

03:38 PM on 05/02/2012

wall or headboard?

[Poindexter718]

03:32 PM on 05/02/2012

EPA guy wants to make an example of lawbreaking polluters, "oh dear, he must resign!" but GOP gov wants to make an example of a lawbreaking employee, "she should join the presidential ticket!"
Hilarious. Apparently corporations aren't just people to the GOP. They are a special class of people to be treated with kid gloves.

[Frizzle Fry]

03:27 PM on 05/02/2012

speculation looms regarding her spot as a possible Mitt Romney vice presidential candidate. - YES!!! do it mitt!!! or palin, i hear she's ready this time!!!

[kwoodberryesq]

03:18 PM on 05/02/2012

Nimrata is high on her own supply!

[Karma2U]

03:14 PM on 05/02/2012

Voters need to kick the Gold Over People party to the curb on Nov 4, 2012.

[Droekie]

02:49 PM on 05/02/2012

" citing the boost she would give Romney with women voters and the Tea Party."

Yes because that strategy worked so well for the McCain/PALIN ticket.

LOL

[joyz41]

02:37 PM on 05/02/2012

The Obamas can hold high standards yet speak and act with class. Tea-Partiers fail.

[Reality always bites]

02:30 PM on 05/02/2012

All this furore over a figure of speech.
No different to" Throw the book at him."
"Lock him up and throw a way the key"
Or - "lets play waterboarding"
(Does anyone actually use that one or has it not been leaked yet)

[phal4875]

03:41 PM on 05/02/2012

"Waterboarding" and "leaked" in the same post. You kidder!

[Reality always bites]

04:02 PM on 05/02/2012

I try to please!

[sabela]

06:28 PM on 05/02/2012

Well, yeah, it is kind of different. Throw the book at him is not avocating an actual violent response. It is just another way of saying prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. As the lock him up does. Waterboarding, again, advoating violence. Okay for the average citizen but not for an elected official.

[Reality always bites]

06:36 PM on 05/02/2012

Throwing books (And burning them) have resulted in serious disorder and deaths.
Locking people up and throwing away the key is a fairy tale. (Anyone who has worked in the justice sector knows that all keys have to be accounted for)
Waterboarding- Now that doesn't really harm anyone does it?
Slam him to the wall?
Is that really advocating violence?
Figure of speech- matter of opinion?
I am sure elected officials have said more controversial things in times of war or other crisis.

[emlr]

02:26 PM on 05/02/2012

Please, pick Nikki for veep, Mitt.

[SCboy]

02:21 PM on 05/02/2012

There is no way Romney picks Nikki for VP. The vetting from the national news outlets would slam her to the wall, to borrow a phrase.

[wa-st-concerned]

02:16 PM on 05/02/2012

Not someone I want in MY government.....

Poor example of a leader or a woman.....

[Monk2001]

02:02 PM on 05/02/2012

So she told the police to commit a crime against someone to prove a point. Telling of a southern conbagging fascist. Although we've known what that ilk is for decades now.