SC lieutenant governor resigns amid criminal probe


March 9, 2012 at 1:18p.m.

SC lieutenant governor resigns amid criminal probe

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s lieutenant governor has resigned amid a criminal investigation into whether he spent campaign money on personal items.

Lt. Gov. Ken Ard said in a letter today to Senate leaders and the governor that he was sorry and it was his responsibility to make sure the money was spent correctly.

A grand jury began investigating the 48-year-old Republican in July. Ard has already paid a $48,000 ethics fine for using money from his 2010 campaign to pay for personal items, like clothes, football tickets and a flat-screen TV.

The lieutenant governor is paid $46,545 for the part-time job that includes presiding over the state Senate.

By state law, the Senate President Pro Tem will become lieutenant governor.