South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and at least four lawmakers are calling for more scrutiny and fewer ethics loopholes for the stateâs many special purpose districts in the wake of a Post and Courier report that painted a portrait of free-spending agencies with little oversight.
The moves came less than 72 hours after the newspaperâs âUncoveredâ investigation showed how misconduct and lavish spending flourishes because of exceptions in state ethics laws, weak enforcement and shrinking scrutiny as news deserts grow. The investigation, published in concert with 10 community newspaper partners, focused on how officials with the stateâs little-known gas authorities gorged themselves on a buffet of perks.