CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley gave $29,000 in additional raises to her staff instead of returning the money to the state budget.
Haley's spokesman Rob Godfrey told The Post and Courier of Charleston that the total compensation for the governor's staff went down, because five people who left have not been replaced.
Godfrey will get an extra $7,000 this year. Deputy Chief of Staff Ted Pitts will get a $12,000 raise, while budget manager Josh Baker and legislative liaison Katherine Veldran each received a $5,000 pay bump.
Christian Soura, who initially made $1 a year as the governor's special assistant, is now making $122,000 after taking over as deputy chief of staff.
Democrats want to know why the governor only needs four staffers after starting out with nine employees.
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