SC House Speaker Bobby Harrell indicted

COLUMBIA - House Speaker Bobby Harrell used his campaign account for tens of thousands of dollars in personal expenses, prosecutors alleged today in a nine-count indictment.

Harrell used more than $70,000 for salary paid to an administrative assistant for his insurance business, and used the campaign account "to pay credit card debt and to pay for goods or services for his home, family and friends that were not for any purposes related to his campaign for or position in the South Carolina House of Representatives," the indictment by a Richland County grand jury alleges.

The indictment also alleges a series of reimbursements Harrell made to himself for non-existent trips.

Harrell, leader of the House since 2005, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

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