'Cronyism politics': Ex-SC legislator appointed as magistrate after agency head bid fails

COLUMBIA — Senators approved Tuesday making former Rep. Mike Pitts a Laurens County judge, several months after he withdrew his bid to lead the state’s land preservation agency amid intense scrutiny.

Pitts, a retired Greenville police officer, was among 34 magistrates — three of those in Laurens County — confirmed to the bench during Tuesday’s special, one-day session.

In March, the Laurens Republican withdrew his name as director of the South Carolina Conservation Bank amid questioning from senators about his qualifications for the job and accusations of self-dealing.

In removing himself from contention, Pitts, who resigned his 16-year House seat after suffering a massive heart attack last October, said his recovery took a backslide due to the unexpectedly combative hearings.

Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/cronyism-politics-ex-sc-legislator-appointed-as-magistrate-after-agency/article_aceec2b8-9793-11e9-bb89-333c7ea25bd7.html
(Charleston Post and Courier)