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S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell resigns, pleads guilty to campaign-finance violations

Harrell has been in the South Carolina House since 1993 and has been Speaker since 2005.

By Aileen Graef

COLUMBIA, S.C., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- South Carolina House Speaker Bobby Harrell resigned Thursday after pleading guilty to state campaign-finance violations.

Harrell was accused of illegally using campaign money to cover personal expenses, filing false campaign reports and misconduct in office.

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He must reimburse $93,958 to the state, which is the amount he is accused of taking for his own personal use.

Harrell maintained his innocence and called the impasse a "fundamental disagreement" over the use of funds to run the state but only resigned and pleaded guilty to end the legal proceedings. He said he did not want to maintain the fight for another two tears.

"This has been a particularly difficult two years for my family," said Harrell. "Doing this today we hope brings an end to this."

Harrell has been in the South Carolina House since 1993 and has been Speaker since 2005.

"This is a disappointing day for South Carolina and the South Carolina House of Representatives," said Speaker Pro Temporae Jay Lucas. "Days like this test the faith of the citizens of this State in their public officials. It is my hope that bringing this matter involving Speaker Harrell to a close will allow the House to move forward and to focus on the issues important to South Carolina."

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