State Sen. Robert Ford, one of the Lowcountry’s most established and colorful political figures, stepped down today as the Senate Ethics Committee was finishing up its review into his campaign spending. Posted on 05/31/2013 12:13:53 PM PDT by upchuck
State Sen. Robert Ford, one of the Lowcountry’s most established and colorful political figures, stepped down today as the Senate Ethics Committee was finishing up its review into his campaign spending.
The Charleston Democrat began his political career as an outspoken black leader who butted heads with Mayor Joe Riley and others in Charleston’s political establishment but evolved into a leader who touted his close ties with influential Republican Senate colleagues.
His resignation came as the Senate Ethics Committee began discussing the final four of eight allegations today.
Its findings are expected to be posted online soon, Sen. John Courson said at today’s hearing.
Ford has held the Senate seat for 20 years and previously served on Charleston City Council. He did not attend the hearing today after spending last night in the hospital, his attorney William Runyon said.
Ford has cardiovascular problems, Runyon said. He had chest pains after a stressful day yesterday and spent the night in Baptist Hospital. He was released this morning, and will follow up with a Charleston cardiologist.
On Thursday, Ford began the fight for his political career when he faced allegations that he spent campaign funds on personal expenses, including purchases at adult stores.
Runyon said he expected more discussion on “expenses, checks and receipts” today.
Questions about the purchases at adult stores yesterday didn’t surprise Runyon, he said, because he knew they were coming.
Ford said the purchases were gag gifts for campaign workers and the purchases were legal.
Runyon said Ford’s problem is poor record keeping. “Nobody would accuse Robert Ford of having any kind of system,” he said. “A lot of folks know how to serve the community but don’t know how to keep their records straight.”
His resignation will result in the Lowcountry’s third high profile election in a year.
Filing for Ford’s old Senate 42 seat could open on June 21 and close July 1, State Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said.
Any primaries would be held on Aug. 13, and the special election itself would be held Oct. 1.
The black-majority seat contains portions of downtown Charleston, West Ashley and North Charleston.
If you announced an independent financial audit on every state legislative member, and you were going to publish the audit once it wrapped up....they’d all resign. I don’t you can find a single Republican or Democrat....who would be ready to survive a real audit.
That’s really the problem that every state has, and why the whole system is so corrupted. Who pays for their weekend holiday in Aruba? Who pays for the set of golf clubs they got back in November? Who pays for the case of wine they got? Who pays for the leased car they drive while at the state house? It all adds up.
You’d be surprised how well they can hide it. The community organizers don’t even try. It’s too much trouble.
“Black democrat Tyrone Brooks in GA is under investigation, too.”
Yes, but isn’t Brooks facing a Federal beef, not just some state ethics panel? Kinda makes you wonder if the fed DOJ isn’t completely corrupt yet.
The Charleston Democrat... faced allegations that he spent campaign funds on personal expenses, including purchases at adult stores... Filing for Ford’s old Senate 42 seat could open on June 21 and close July 1... primaries would be held on Aug. 13, and the special election itself would be held Oct. 1. The black-majority seat contains portions of downtown Charleston, West Ashley and North Charleston.
Thanks for posting this. His resigning immediately tends to suggest there is some merit to the charges. If he was innocent, I think he would stay and clear his name.
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