If an alleged violation is found to be groundless by the State Ethics Commission, the entire matter must be stricken from public record. If the State Ethics Commission finds that the complaining party wilfully filed a groundless complaint, the finding must be reported to the Attorney General. The wilful filing of a groundless complaint by a person with the State Ethics Commission is a misdemeanor, and the person filing a complaint, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year. In lieu of the criminal penalty provided by this section, a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars may be assessed against the complainant upon proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the filing of the complaint was wilful and without just cause or with malice.
HISTORY: 1991 Act No. 248, Section 2; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 127.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 17 - Lobbyists And Lobbying
Section 2-17-5. Transfer of duties and powers from Secretary of State to State Ethics Commission.
Section 2-17-15. Persons prohibited from serving as lobbyist; application of section.
Section 2-17-30. Lobbyist's reporting of lobbying activities.
Section 2-17-35. Lobbyist's principal's reporting of lobbying expenditures.
Section 2-17-40. Report of lobbying activities of state agency or department.
Section 2-17-60. Duties of State Ethics Commission.
Section 2-17-120. Suspension of lobbyist upon indictment for violation of provision of this chapter.
Section 2-17-130. Penalties For violations of provisions of this chapter.
Section 2-17-150. Statute of limitations for prosecuting violation of provision of this chapter.