South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is accusing House Speaker Bobby Harrell of inappropriately inserting himself into the House panel's probe into an ethics complaint against her.
/ FILE
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is accusing House Speaker Bobby Harrell of inappropriately inserting himself into the House panel's probe into an ethics complaint against her.
But Harrell says he's doing no such thing. Harrell spokesman Greg Foster says the speaker only asked the House Ethics Committee to thoroughly investigate the complaint brought by Republican activist John Rainey.
But Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey says any involvement is totally inappropriate.
The back-and-forth Thursday reinforces the strained relationship between the Republican governor and Republican House leader.
The complaint alleges Haley was a lobbyist while a House member, an allegation she denies.
Committee attorneys asked Haley's office for more documentation than committee members requested. Foster says Harrell believes the additional request by staff was completely appropriate, but Harrell didn't ask for it.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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