GHS Wins Again
- greenvillepolitics
- Apr 29, 2016
- 2 min read
Greenville Health System again has been proven in the right despite the best efforts of the Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.
This is in relation to a group of state lawmakers doing a political power grab by attempting to get the South Carolina Legislative Audit Council to audit GHS's philanthropy arm. The Greenville News is reporting:
Greenville Health System is not a state agency and therefore its Office of Philanthropy is not subject to an audit by the South Carolina Legislative Audit Council, the state Attorney General’s office has concluded.
Ten members of the Greenville County legislative delegation in February asked the LAC to conduct an audit of GHS’s Office of Philanthropy and related departments after some concerns were raised about fundraising efforts involving a neurological center.
In a letter to the LAC, Representatives Eric M. Bedingfield, Mike Burns, William M. Chumley, Dwight Loftis, Wendy K. Nanney, Garry Smith, Tommy M. Stringer, and Senators Karl B. Allen, Lee Bright and Thomas Corbin also requested “an audit of all GHS strategic plans, building projects, medical departments, medical practices, or any other initiatives that received funds controlled by or solicited through the GHS Office of Philanthrophy.”
Because GHS was established by state law, the legislators said it is a political subdivision and is therefore subject to be audited. But the LAC asked the Attorney General's office whether that was the case.
The Attorney General’s Office concluded that GHS is a special purpose district, not a state agency or governmental body.
“Thus, we advise that a court is most likely to conclude that the Legislative Audit Council lacks the requisite authority to audit GHS,” Solicitor General Robert D. Cook wrote in the opinion.
In a nutshell, the AG's office has told this group no way Jose. The short term result is GHS can continue its efforts to shed itself of the state's political machinations. The long-term could be some of these "lawmakers" may end up with political targets on their back.
Some already do. Lee Bright is facing a host of challengers this June, Allen is being chased by City Councilwoman Lillian Brock Flemming while Nanney faces a formidable foe in Jason Elliott.
Things, as the say, are heating up.
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