FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) -- Former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard says he had trouble asking people to donate money to his political campaign. So Ard says he came up with a scheme to give his own money to family members to give to others to donate to his campaign.
In his first interview about the case since his March guilty plea and resignation, Ard told the Morning News of Florence that he knew his idea was wrong, but didn't know it was illegal.
Ard apologized to his supporters for letting them down and to the people of South Carolina for embarrassing the lieutenant governor's office. He says he will never run for office again.
Ard pleaded guilty to seven misdemeanor counts, getting five years of probation, but no jail time.
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