Powerful SC GOP consultant Richard Quinn, 4 others indicted

COLUMBIA, SC - Republican consultant Richard Quinn Sr., for years a kingmaker in S.C. politics, was indicted Wednesday by the State Grand Jury on a felony charge of criminal conspiracy, as well as a charge of illegal lobbying for failing to register as a lobbyist.

Since the late 1970s, Quinn, 73, has been one of South Carolina’s premier political consultants.

An insider’s insider, he has helped elect many S.C. politicians, nearly all Republicans. His clients have included Gov. Henry McMaster, Attorney General Alan Wilson, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, all Republicans, as well as Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, a Democrat.

Wednesday’s indictments capped months of behind-the-scenes activity by Special Prosecutor David Pascoe, the State Grand Jury, and nine State Law Enforcement Division agents. Pascoe, the 1st Circuit solicitor, also has enlisted the help of three other elected solicitors from around the state in the investigation.

Pascoe issued a statement saying “this is still an ongoing investigation.”

All of those indicted Wednesday had ties to Richard Quinn and his firm, Richard Quinn & Associates, which also did business as First Impressions, Mail Marketing Strategies and the Copy Shop.

The illegal lobbying indictment against Quinn says he “did attempt to influence the action or vote of members of the S.C. General Assembly by direct communication on behalf of entities which employed, retained or appointed defendant’s businesses and defendant did not register as a lobbyist ...”

Quinn’s clients have included institutions, trade groups and companies, including the University of South Carolina, the S.C. Ports Authority, SCANA, Palmetto Health, the S.C. Trial Lawyers Association, AT&T and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
The charges

Also indicted Wednesday were:

• Former S.C. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Harrison, 66, R-Richland, on charges of criminal conspiracy, common law misconduct in office and statutory misconduct in office.

• While he was in the Legislature, Harrison worked for Quinn’s consulting firm, Richard Quinn & Associates. Harrison is now the $155,000-a-year-plus director of the General Assembly’s Legislative Council, which helps draft bills. Harrison also is on The Citadel’s Board of Visitors, the college’s governing board.

• Former S.C. House Rep. Tracy Edge, 50, R-Horry, on criminal conspiracy, common law misconduct in office, statutory misconduct in office and perjury charges.

While in the Legislature, Edge was on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, which helps direct how the state spends money each year. Edge’s indictment also alleges he gave false testimony to the State Grand Jury “regarding his knowledge of entities doing business” with the Richard Quinn firm.

The State Grand Jury also issued additional indictments against two legislators previously indicted.