SC Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigns amidst ethics scandal
Former South Carolina officer used campaign funds to attend 2010 SEC Championship Game
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1 min read
Posted by Chip Patterson
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard has resigned from his post as a result of an almost year-long ethics scandal.
Ard's office issued a press release at 10 a.m. on Friday to announce his intentions to resign. The former Lt. Gov. offered apologies for his irresponsibility, and took responsibility for the actions leading to his resignation.
"During my campaign, it was my responsibility to make sure things were done correctly," Ard said in his official statement. "I did not do that. There are no excuses nor is there need to share blame. It is my fault that the events of the past year have taken place.
"I regret the distraction this has caused for the people of this state, my family, my staff, and other elected officials in South Carolina. It is because of these mistakes that I must take full ownership and resign from the Office of Lieutenant Governor. Once again, I am deeply sorry and take full responsibility for the entire situation."
A 5-month investigation found Ard guilty of 92 campaign finance violations, including the use of campaign funds to pay for a hotel room in Atlanta for the 2010 SEC Championship Game. It was South Carolina's first, and only, SEC East title.
The South Carolina ethics commission turned Ard's case over to the state Attorney General's office last July. According to WISTV-10 in Columbia, the grand jury has met at least four times to listen to testimony from those involved with his campaign since then.
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard has resigned from his post as a result of an almost year-long ethics scandal.
Ard's office issued a press release at 10 a.m. on Friday to announce his intentions to resign. The former Lt. Gov. offered apologies for his irresponsibility, and took responsibility for the actions leading to his resignation.
"During my campaign, it was my responsibility to make sure things were done correctly," Ard said in his official statement. "I did not do that. There are no excuses nor is there need to share blame. It is my fault that the events of the past year have taken place.
"I regret the distraction this has caused for the people of this state, my family, my staff, and other elected officials in South Carolina. It is because of these mistakes that I must take full ownership and resign from the Office of Lieutenant Governor. Once again, I am deeply sorry and take full responsibility for the entire situation."
A 5-month investigation found Ard guilty of 92 campaign finance violations, including the use of campaign funds to pay for a hotel room in Atlanta for the 2010 SEC Championship Game. It was South Carolina's first, and only, SEC East title.
The South Carolina ethics commission turned Ard's case over to the state Attorney General's office last July. According to WISTV-10 in Columbia, the grand jury has met at least four times to listen to testimony from those involved with his campaign since then.
