Hefty ethics fines handed out to politicians total close to $1 million in S.C., and one state senator calls the fines absurd.
"There's a thing called fairness," said Sen. Yancey McGill, and "there's something called ... abusive."
McGill, who represents Williamsburg and parts of Horry and Georgetown Counties, said he was shocked when he learned of recent fines levied against Horry County Council Chairman Liz Gilland.
Gilland failed to disclose what she did with several thousand dollars of campaign cash, and over a two-year period, her fine grew to more than $300,000.
"If they do not file them in a timely manner, then they should be fined," McGill said, but added, "the idea of somebody paying $200-300,000 in fines, that's absurd."
Gilland said she simply forgot, but the ethics commission said she ignored several notices. At an appeal last week, the commission reduced her fine to $45,000 -- or $5,000 for each of nine counts of failing to disclose. Gilland has 60 days to pay the fines.
Cathy Hazelwood, an attorney with the ethics commission, said Gilland's fines are justified and in accordance with the law, but she agrees the higher fines are too much.
"We certainly do feel like (those sorts of fines are) excessive punishment," Hazelwood said during a phone interview Monday.
As the law is written now, late filing penalties increase at a rate of $100 per day until the politician, PAC, lobbyist or otherwise settles with the commission. That rate can get out of control and quickly.
"I believe in fines. I believe in people doing exactly what they're supposed to do ... but I also believe that we need to be fair when we assess these fines," McGill said.
Hazelwood said the commission would support a reform to cut down on the fines, but a push to do just that in 2006 was shot down by Governor Mark Sanford.
The commission championed an amendment to cap fines, and it passed both houses, but only to be vetoed by the governor.
Senator McGill said he will begin talks with fellow lawmakers on Tuesday about changing the law.
"I'm going to talk to members of the House. I'm going to speak with Speaker Bobby Harrell, and Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, and we're going to talk a little bit about what's fair."
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