United Methodist grant to South Carolina senator being investigated
4/23/1998 News media contact: Linda Green · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn By Davie Burgdorf* CHARLESTON, S.C. (UMNS) - The South Carolina Ethics Commission is investigating a state senator's use of a $5,000 grant from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
The commission is examining whether Charleston Democrat Robert Ford -- also a community developer for the board -- and the agency itself violated state guidelines when the grant was used to help defeat a Charleston County school bond referendum on March 28.
An initial assessment indicated "a violation both ways" of state guidelines by Ford and the Board of Global Ministries, said Gary Baker, executive director of the ethics commission. South Carolina has a limit of $3,500 for donations to a political campaign.
Board spokeswoman Lesley Crosson said Ford received the grant money to "help local parents develop strategies for more parental involvement in the local school system."
Ford said he spent only $3,500 of the grant on anti-bond referendum advertising and that he used the rest to educate the community on his plan to divide the Charleston County School District into seven smaller ones -- a measure he says will give minorities a greater voice. He said he did nothing improper.
South Carolina Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey and the Rev. Randolph Nugent, the Board of Global Ministries' top executive, said in an April 16 statement that the United Methodist Church does not use church funds to influence elections.
According to the statement, the board had informed Ford that use of the grant to defeat the bond referendum was "inappropriate." Instead, an agreement was reached that the money would be used for "nonpartisan efforts" by his community development program.
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"After consultation with the South Carolina Annual Conference and learning that Mr. Ford now acknowledges use of the funds received for political purposes, the General Board is requesting Mr. Ford to return the grant," the statement said.
If the ethics commission rules that a violation has occurred, it can fine Ford and the board $2,000 each or request Ford return the $1,500 above the $3,500 limit.
Ford has agreed to return the $3,500 he spent to oppose the referendum, but he said he first must raise the money.
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*Burgdorf is editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate.
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