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SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WHNS, AP) -- State Rep. Harold Mitchell said he will turn himself in on Thursday in connection with tax evasion charges.

In a news release Wednesday, the Spartanburg Democrat said he hasn't seen the warrants and doesn't know the details of the charges yet, but he will go before a judge Thursday at the Spartanburg County jail to be arraigned.

Mitchell said in a press release Wednesday that he first learned of the warrants from his lawyer Tuesday morning. He said that since then he has been gathering tax returns, receipts and any documentation that he can to help the state.

Having served in the South Carolina House of Representatives since 2005, Mitchell worked on education and public works committees. He also chaired the Affordable Housing Caucus.

"I have openly shared information when it was favorable, and I believe that the same   openness should apply when it is not," Mitchell said in his press release.

Mitchell said he is unsure how many warrants there are or why they were issued. He said he expects to learn more Thursday afternoon when he is arraigned.

Chairman of the House Ethics Committee Rep. Roland Smith, R-Aiken, said the charges could affect Mitchell's role at the Statehouse.

"If he is officially indicted, the speaker could suspend him from office," Smith said. "If he is cleared by court process, then he will be reinstated. Legal staff with the House Ethics Committee will begin looking into the matter (Thursday) morning."

Mitchell said he will appear for an arraignment at the Spartanburg County Detention facility at 3 p.m. Thursday. He said he is willing to answer questions and keep the public informed.

Mitchell has been in the Statehouse nearly six years.

(WHNS, FoxCarolina.com and The Associated Press.)