First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe addressed the Greenville County GOP about corruption in the statehouse. Most of his attention was directed at Republicans who have crossed the line. Photo Michael Reed.
It has been said that truth is stranger than fiction. Indeed, that maxim held true in Greenville January 6th when the Greenville County Republican Party invited Democrat David Pascoe to speak before the conservative Greenville County Republican Party. Pascoe was appointed as Special Prosecutor by Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson in 2014 who cited potential conflicts of interest. Wilson later became tarnished by revelations he had close ties with political consultant Richard Quinn, who was one of the targets of the probe.
Pascoe is the First Circuit Solicitor and was invited by GCGOP Chairman Jeff Davis to speak on corruption in South Carolina. Pascoe and Davis were classmates at The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina. The two hour presentation, interrupted by ‘technical issues’ was geared toward exposing corruption in the statehouse, although most of those pointed out were Republican.
Greenville County GOP Chair Jeff Davis.
Davis defended his decision to invite Pascoe by emphasizing the fact that corruption is rampant in Columbia in both political parties saying that it’s a battle between the establishment in both political parties. Davis also pointed out that ‘we’ve got to clean up our own house’.
The crowd was cordial and mostly accepting of the admitted Democrat in the partisan Republican meeting, but some objections were raised, and at least one attendee voiced his concerns and left following. A former candidate for Greenville County Council, Ben Harper, objected to giving Pascoe a GOP forum. He pointed out the obvious stating “He is a supporter of Joe Biden. We are supporters of Donald Trump.” He continued that “I’m not disparaging the man at all, but not in a GOP setting.”
Pascoe recapped his special prosecutor victories of convicting he big and powerful among the state’s elected representatives. Among them, Chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Harrison; former House Speaker Rep. Bobby Harrell; former Speaker Pro-Tem of the Senate John Courson; former House Majority Leader Rep. Rick Quinn, Jr.; and former House Majority Leader Rep. Jim Merrill. He also won a fine against consultant Richard Quinn for failure to register as a lobbyist.
Rep. Jonathon Hill
Solicitor Pascoe also made note of the relationship between South Carolina’s judges and those who appoint SC’s judges—the state legislature. In SC judges are nominated, screened and elected by the state legislators. Unfortunately, that relation has caused issues with integrity also. Just last year judges were elected by the legislature by “acclamation” when in reality that was not the case as at least one legislator, Jonathan Hill, R-Anderson, was screaming from the floor but was ignored by the House Speaker, Jay Lucas, R-District 65.
Judging the applause of the audience, Pascoe had convinced the crowd he was ‘friendly’ and that corruption was a plague of both major parties that needs to be addressed. As the state legislature goes into session this week we will be paying particular attention to how things develop.
Michael Reed is Editor and Publisher of The Standard newspaper, print and online, and TheStandardSC YouTube channel where many video reports may be found. Please share freely and donate to The Standard on this page to assure the continued availability of news that is ignored too often by the dominant media.
Please “like”, comment, share with a friend, and donate to support The Standard on this page. Become a Patron!
Click the QR Code below to donate any amount.
RSS - Posts
Pascoe puts justice first. His presentation was about as neutral as could be. Elected officials of both parties are as corrupt as they come. Including many still in office. Too bad Republican solicitors aren’t speaking out. Or better yet, prosecuting those that should be.