Attorney for senator in South Carolina Statehouse corruption case asks judge to reconsider ruling
COLUMBIA — An attorney for a long-time South Carolina senator accused of pocketing $160,000 in campaign donations is asking a judge to reconsider her ruling earlier this month to let the case proceed.
State Sen. John Courson has been suspended since March on charges of using campaign donations for personal expenses and misconduct in office. Additional conspiracy and misconduct charges were added last week. Courson is accused of participating in a "kickback" scheme over six years in which his campaign consultant, GOP powerbroker Richard Quinn, provided cash reimbursements from payments.
The 33-year Senate veteran has repeatedly denied the allegations.
His attorney, Rose Mary Parham, argued that Solicitor David Pascoe, the prosecutor handed the Statehouse corruption probe, has no authority to prosecute Courson, as his name was not in a report that launched the investigation. She also contends Courson cannot be charged with common law misconduct in office, as its purpose hundreds of years ago was to prosecute judges, not elected state officials.
Circuit Judge Carmen Mullen rejected Parham's arguments Oct. 17. In seeking reconsideration, Parham argues Mullen did not adequately address the issues.
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/attorney-for-senator-in-s-c-statehouse-corruption-case-asks/article_12856ba4-bb54-11e7-9b8b-17ad219c3cd0.html