On Oct 21st, South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain asked the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division to investigate Ninth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson’s use of government property for political purposes.

See the letter by clicking here and below.

October 21, 2024

Chief Mark Keel
South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division
440 Broad Road
Columbia, SC 29210

Chief Keel:

Last Friday, Ninth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson released an advertisement where she cites emails from her opponent, David Osborne, from when he was an employee in the solicitor’s office. The emails referenced in the campaign advertisement are official communication between two governmental employees. The advertisement can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D8kviycnY/

While Solicitor Wilson would have access to those emails, the only way she would be allowed to use them for political purposes is to request them through an Open Records request. There is no evidence to provide for the public to know that such a request has occurred. If it didn’t happen, Solicitor Wilson broke the law.

Additionally, Solicitor Wilson’s campaign apparently used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to mimic her opponent’s voice in the advertisement. While not illegal in South Carolina, this is a highly unethical practice.

I’m writing today to ask the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division to investigate Solicitor Wilson’s use of government property for political purposes. While all candidates should be held to a high ethical standard, law enforcement officials must be held to an even higher standard.

If you require additional information, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Christale Spain
Chair