“McMaster’s decision to protect the director of the ORS continues his summer of corruption…”
COLUMBIA, SC — Today, Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party Trav Robertson called on Henry McMaster or his staff to disclose any knowledge of the relationship between the executive director of the Office of Regulatory Staff Dukes Scott, Richard Quinn, Richard Quinn’s son-in-law, and the Governor’s office.
The Office of Regulatory Staff (“ORS”) at the Public Service Commission has been leading the push for the V.C. Summer plant since the beginning. Our lawmakers trust their expert advice on complicated regulatory and technical matters. They repeatedly recommended rate hikes to the Legislature for approval, which have now totaled over $1.4 billion. Despite a clear call from House Speaker Jay Lucas and other members of the General Assembly for the resignation of ORS Director Dukes Scott, Henry McMaster’s refusal to accept his resignation demonstrates that accountability is not the main objective of the Governor’s office.
The Governor and his staff have once again moved to protect an ally of the Quinns. At ORS, Dukes Scott hired Richard Quinn’s son-in-law, who has since moved to Willoughby & Hoefer, a firm closely connected to Attorney General Alan Wilson. These events and relationships do not appear to be a coincidence.
“Henry McMaster has placed the cost of a failed business scheme on the backs of ratepayers to protect the friends of his consultants. This is one of the largest bailouts in the history of South Carolina. As part of their continued hearings on the abandonment of the V.C. Summer plant, I hope the Legislature will demand answers to the questions below. The citizens of South Carolina deserve to know the truth about how they are governed, particularly if they are footing the bill.”
- When did Dukes Scott hire Richard Quinn’s son-in-law at the ORS?
- Did the Governor know that Richard Quinn’s son-in-law was, at one time, an employee of the ORS?
- How much did the utility companies involved in the V.C. Summer project, particularly SCANA, pay Richard Quinn and Associates?
- Did Richard Quinn and Associates advocate for passage of the Base Load Review Act of 2007 with Richard Quinn’s son-in-law was at ORS?
- Did Richard Quinn and Associates represent any business interests to the ORS while Quinn’s son-in-law worked at the ORS?
- Did the Attorney General award any legal work to Willoughby & Hoefer once Richard Quinn’s son-in-law transitioned from the ORS to Willoughby & Hoefer?
“Two constitutional officers with direct ties to a company under state and federal investigation, have refused to protect and defend the ratepayers. Instead, they have chosen to continue a summer of corruption.”
