The South Carolina State Ethics Commission (http://ethics.sc.gov/) has some databases on its website that may be of interest to anyone seeking information on elected oficials or candidates for election.  The Commission was established in 1975 and expanded in 1991.  Now its duties include lobbyist registration and disclosure, campaign practices and ethical rules of conduct for candidates and elected officials.  The Commission issues advisory opinions and conducts investigations and hearings into complaints. 

Complaints  http://www.sc.gov/Complaints/complaintsresolved.htm

Anyone who suspects that a violation of the law has been committed by a public official, public member, or public employee may file a complaint with the State Ethics Commission. The State Ethics Commission does not have jurisdiction over members of the General Assembly. The State Ethics Commission is also authorized to file a complaint against any public official, public employee, or public member who is suspected of violating the Ethics Reform Act.  The complaint discloses the name of the violator, the filer, and particulars of the violation.  The complaint becomes a public document.  The complaint is reviewed by the Ethics Commission to determine if there is enough information to determine whether a violation has occurred.  Complaints that have been resolved are provided in the database available on the website.

Public Disclosure and Accountability Reporting  http://sc.gov/PublicReporting/Index.aspx

Public Disclosure is available for Constitutional officers and candidates and local office holders and candidates, for  non-candidate committees, political parties and caucuses.   Statement of Economic Interests forms for all elected officials, all public members of state boards and commissions and certain public employees are available online for viewing.

Advisory Opinions http://www.ethics.sc.gov/advisoryopinion/

An informal or formal advisory opinion may be requested by any person to whom the Act could reasonably be expected to apply. The request must be in writing and relate prospectively to a real or hypothetical set of facts or circumstances. The Commission will not issue an advisory opinion to a third party about another person without authorization from the affected person.

The Commission will consider advisory opinion requests having prospective application only. An opinion request requiring consideration of past conduct or events may be referred to the appropriate supervisory office and an investigation of any potential violation may be conducted.

A formal advisory opinion shall be considered by the Commission at a public meeting. The person whose conduct is the subject of the request may appear at the meeting. The Commission’s written opinion will be provided to the requestor and made public unless the affected parties request confidentiality. Formal advisory opinions are the final opinion of the Commission unless new and material facts are submitted which, in the opinion of staff and upon a majority vote of the Commission, warrant reconsideration.

The Ethics Commission also files lists of lobbyists with the General Assembly.  Current lobbyist lists are posted at http://www.scstatehouse.net/reports/ethrpt.htm.