This Reporter Helped Take Down South Carolina’s Most Powerful Lawmaker

By: Corey Hutchins | CJR

On Friday, South Carolina’s former House Speaker, Bobby Harrell, completed his journey from being one of the state’s most powerful politicians to being a government rat.

Harrell, a Republican who had already relinquished the Speaker’s role under pressure, pleaded guilty in a state court to six counts of misusing campaign funds. He avoided prison by agreeing to cooperate fully with further investigations, including potentially testifying against his ex-colleagues at future trials as state and federal authorities continue to probe public corruption at the Statehouse.