GOP powerbroker gets scrutiny amid South Carolina probe

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Republican powerbroker who boasts that his client roster is a "who's who of politics" that included Strom Thurmond and Ronald Reagan has come within the crosshairs of a growing probe of possible Statehouse corruption in South Carolina.

[...] the millions of dollars he's collected and spent on behalf of his clients have become central to an investigation that began with the 2014 prosecution of a longtime state House speaker, who pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor campaign spending violations.

The indictment of a senator once honored for ethics reform stunned lawmakers from both parties — and signified the probe is far-reaching.

Scrutiny of Quinn comes arguably at the height of his success, four decades after he founded the consulting firm that has gone on to serve many of the state's top politicians.

According to its website, Quinn's firm has helped hundreds of clients win local, state and federal offices.

After Harrell pleaded guilty, Wilson tried to fire the Democratic solicitor, saying he lacked the authority to open a state grand jury to investigate further.

While a review of the party's finances under McMaster is among the documents Pascoe has collected, there's no indication McMaster himself is a target of the probe — and he's not been interviewed or subpoenaed.