COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Gov. Nikki Haley says a county councilman recently sentenced for failing to report nearly half a million dollars in income is out of a job.
In an executive order obtained by The Associated Press, Haley declared vacant the Richland County Council seat held by Kelvin Washington.
Washington was charged in January with failing to report almost $427,000 in income over three years, stemming from a state investigation into county use of local sales tax money.
State law says the governor can declare public positions vacant if officeholders are convicted of crimes involving “moral turpitude.” Prosecutors say in an attorney general’s opinion that Washington’s tax crimes meet that standard.
Washington was sentenced to probation and fines. He did not immediately return a message Wednesday. He is also facing DUI charges.
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