Politics & Government
Ethics Committee Hearing Testimony In Haley Case
The committee is looking into allegations that Gov. Nikki Haley illegally lobbied for her employers while she was a representative in the House.
The House Ethics Committee heard testimony from one witness Thursday morning in regards to allegations the Gov. Nikki Haley violated ethics laws during her time as a representative in the House.
The committee - made up of five Republicans and one Democrat - heard from Robert Ferrell, a Vice President of CDM Smith, formerly known as Wilbur Smith. Ferrell told the House lawyer that Haley did consulting work for the company but never lobbied for the company.
Haley has been accused of lobbying illegally for Wilbur Smith Associates and Lexington Medical Center while she served in the House. Haley earned $110,000 annually as a fundraiser for the hospital, and earned $42,500 for her work as a consultant for Wilbur Smith.
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During the opening statements, Haley's attorney Butch Bowers told the ethics committee that "allegations are not facts."
"Just because someone says it with conviction, doesn't make it true," Bowers said.
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The committee took a recess around 11 a.m. for a vote on the state budget. When the committee reconvenes, Bowers will question Ferrell.
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