corruption

The final two former South Carolina lawmakers charged in a nearly eight-year investigation into corruption at the Statehouse have avoided time behind bars. The State newspaper reports former Sen. John Courson was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service and once he finishes, his probation will end. The Columbia Republican pleaded guilty in 2018 to taking $159,000 from his campaign account and using for personal expenses on the advice of a prominent Republican political consultant at the center of the corruption investigation. Former Republican Rep. Tracy Edge of Myrtle Beach was ordered to pay a $500 fine after he pleaded guilty to failing to fully report his campaign finances.