Curtis Loftis Remains SC Treasurer Amid Controversy
(AP) — South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis is expected to retain his position at least for the rest of 2023, as the Republican-controlled House has chosen not to address a Senate resolution aimed at his removal. The resolution stems from Loftis’s involvement in a $1.8 billion phantom account that had shown up on state records, due to years of reporting failures.
The Senate passed the measure on April 21, but House Speaker Murrell Smith indicated that there was insufficient time to consider it before the session’s end on May 8. Loftis remains open to running for a fifth term in 2026, arguing that it would be unjust to negate an election outcome. In a statement, he expressed gratitude to House leaders for prioritizing the people’s business over politics.
The controversy emerged from a decade-long accounting error, which led to a fabricated financial surplus discovered during a Senate investigation. Loftis has claimed the inquiry is a "witch hunt," asserting no money went missing during his tenure. While some senators opposed the removal, criticism persists, with Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey stating a strong challenger should arise for Loftis in upcoming elections. The resolution remains alive until lawmakers reconvene in 2026.
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