Charleston ports agency has put hundreds of thousands in embattled consultant's pocket. But there

[TexasTowelie]

Charleston ports agency has put hundreds of thousands in embattled consultant's pocket. But there are no bids, no review, no contract.

The State Ports Authority has shoveled thousands of dollars each month into the pockets of embattled political consultant Richard Quinn with little or no documentation to explain how he spent the money.

SPA president Jim Newsome insists the Quinn firm has done good work and its “body of expertise” has been vital to the maritime agency’s success.

But others – including members of the port’s governing board – are queasy about the arrangement with Quinn in the crosshairs of a Statehouse corruption probe.

First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, a Democrat, recently subpoenaed the SPA's records and, last week, the agency's board of directors suspended payments to Quinn, citing the investigation that has so far netted indictments against three lawmakers.

Read more: http://www.postandcourier.com/politics/charleston-ports-agency-has-put-hundreds-of-thousands-in-embattled/article_c7e5ada8-1553-11e7-8ff9-b39f3ffef5a2.html