Ford v. State Ethics Commission

TOAL Chief Justice:

The State Ethics Commission (“Ethics Commission”) appeals the trial judge’s order finding that jurisdiction over Senator Robert Ford’s (“Senator Ford”) conduct is vested in the Senate Ethics Committee.

FACTUAL/PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Senator Ford is a sitting member of the South Carolina Senate, and was a member of the Senate in 1998, when the alleged improper conduct occurred. Senator Ford also ran an activity known as the Black Community Development Committee (“BCD”). 1 The record is unclear as to whether the BCD is a working committee with several members or conducted solely…