Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Governor Henry McMaster is questioning the legality of a recent decision made by Santee Cooper's interim CEO, James Brogdon.
On Friday, Brogdon sent a letter to Governor McMaster and Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman explaining that the scheduled meeting for Monday, August 20, would be postponed "due to legal uncertainty which exists about the interim appointment of Charles M. Condon as Chairman of the Board of Santee Cooper."
"It is unlawful to do that," says Governor McMaster. "The schedule of meetings per law was scheduled in January, by the board voting on when to hold the meetings. Unless you have a board meeting saying you're changing that, then you can't change the meetings. In order to have the meeting you must give public notice and all of the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. None of that was done to cancel this meeting."
Santee Cooper explained that they did not want to postpone the meeting, but they are waiting on the Supreme Court's decision on recent lawsuit against the Governor's appointment of Condon. Senator Leatherman explained in a letter on August 8, that Condon was not confirmed by the Senate before the legislative session ended.
Leatherman claimed that the Governor tried to "re-insert" Condon into the same public office.
Santee Cooper also explained that they have postponed, canceled or moved meetings in the past without going through a board vote.
Governor McMaster maintains that Santee Cooper's decision was unlawful.
"It's really hard to believe that a state agency is being legally defiant in such a way as this," says McMaster.
He is asking Santee Cooper for all communication regarding the decision to postpone the meeting. Governor McMaster says he's looking for answers.