GOP Conference Sued Over Charleston Hotel Bill

Charleston Place is suing the Southern Republican Leadership Conference over an unpaid bill.

The popular Lowcountry tourist destination is seeking $227,872.12 in damages following the SRLC's sparsely-attended January conference in the days leading up to the South Carolina GOP Presidential Primary.

First reported by Charleston City Paper contributor Dan McCue, the complaint filed in the Charleston County Court of Common Pleas claims SRLC "was grossly undercapitalized, failed to observe corporate formalities, was insolvent, and was mere[ly] used as a façade for the operations of the defendant [organizer Robert] Cahaly."

Poor attendance led GOP Primary candidate Newt Gingrich to cancel his apperance. The Columbia Free Times' Corey Hutchins noted the thin turnout to see other big names on the convention schedule. 

The Post and Courier noted a response from the SRLC on Monday. 

"After prepaying over $235,000 to the Charleston Place Hotel, we at SRLC 2012 had an unprofessional experience that directly and indirectly breached our contract causing great harm and distraction to our attendees, sponsors, and staff."