Committee votes to refer multiple counts to State Ethics Commission, to prepare advisory reprimand for R.J. May

The committee voted to refer multiple potential violations uncovered during the investigation to the State Ethics Commission and directed staff to prepare the formal documentation. Representative Guest moved to refer a committee complaint containing six counts and a second complaint containing one count of potential violations of the Ethics Act; the motion was seconded and roll call was ordered.

Separately, a member moved to publicly reprimand former Representative R.J. May via an advisory opinion under South Carolina Code section 8-13-540 and House Ethics Committee Rule 6, with staff preparing the appropriate paperwork for committee approval. Roll-call voting was ordered for these motions; the chair recorded unanimous 'Aye' responses for the actions the committee approved that day.

The motions formalize next steps: referral to the State Ethics Commission for formal review of the enumerated counts and internal work to draft an advisory opinion delivering a public reprimand. Staff and outside counsel said they will prepare the necessary documentation and a written investigative report for the committee's review.