Senators reprimand Cleary, order him to pay nearly $125,000 for violating state ethics laws
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Retiring Sen. Ray Cleary was ordered Monday to pay nearly $125,000 for violating state ethics laws by improperly reporting campaign expenses, donations and refunds.
The Senate Ethics Committee's 10 members publicly reprimanded their colleague and ordered him to pay a $41,900 fine. He must also return nearly $48,000 to his campaign account, reimburse the committee $27,400, and donate $7,500 to a children's charity.
Cleary, R-Murrells Inlet, said he will pay by the order's Dec. 1 deadline.
"It is what it is," he said, insisting he "didn't spend anything out of my account that wasn't Senate-related."
Read more: http://www.postandcourier.com/news/senators-reprimand-cleary-order-him-to-pay-nearly/article_cdb2d256-a046-11e6-b883-abd517e4c5cf.html