Nikki Haley speaks before the House Ethics Committee on June 28, 2012.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called the man accusing her of ethics violations a "racist, sexist bigot" for referencing terrorism during a conversation during her gubernatorial bid.
Haley told the House Ethics Committee Thursday evening that John Rainey insulted her family when he said he didn't want to later discover she was related to terrorists.
Haley's parents were born in India. She also mentioned the meeting in her book, and Rainey told The Associated Press earlier this year he wanted to see tax records to ensure the candidate he backed didn't wind up in a scandal, as after Gov. Mark Sanford's affair.
Rainey didn't immediately return a phone message Thursday, and was never called to speak during the hearing.
Haley said Rainey's allegations she lobbied illegally are unfounded.
Her testimony came near the end of a more than 12 hour hearing. The committee will meet again Friday morning at 8:30 a.m., where they will discuss the case and render a decision.