I-TEAM UPDATE: South Carolina lawmaker resigns amid investigation
DENMARK, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A South Carolina lawmaker resigned from office the same week the I-TEAM exposed he sent client files from across the state to a former client’s home in Denmark.
We broke the story earlier this week.
Representative Marvin Pendarvis sent a resignation letter to the speaker of the house on Monday — the day before the I-TEAM exposed he had sent dozens of attorney-client files to a home in Denmark, S.C.
SEE THE LETTER:
Eugine Smith and Paula Brown called the I-TEAM when the boxes of files showed up at their home.
Pendarvis, an attorney, was representing them in a class action lawsuit against the city and state over the town’s drinking water.
Pendarvis not only sent them the medical records of the people he represented in the class action lawsuit but also dozens of other client files from other cases across the state, including pending public defender cases out of Charleston.
MORE FROM THE I-TEAM:
- People In Denmark Sue City Over Water
- City blames citizens for Denmark water problems
- Mayor of Denmark prohibits test on city wells
- Lawmakers Want Answers About Denmark Dirty Water
Pendarvis mailed the files around the same time SLED opened an investigation into him over allegations he forged a signature and settled a lawsuit without the knowledge of his client.
The investigation led to the suspension of his law license.
Pendarvis represented the 113th district out of Charleston but represented clients in our area. He was up for reelection in November, running unopposed.
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