SC Senate Votes to Remove Treasurer Curtis Loftis

The South Carolina Senate has voted 33-8 to remove State Treasurer Curtis Loftis from office over his involvement in a $1.8 billion accounting error, following a three-year investigation. The error, which Loftis, the comptroller general, and the state auditor knew about, resulted in federal scrutiny and the resignations of former Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom and Auditor George Kennedy. Loftis has denied wrongdoing and called the removal efforts politically motivated, but a forensic audit concluded his office was equally responsible and failed to act for years. The Senate's decision now advances to the House, where a two-thirds vote is required for final removal. Loftis's legal challenge was rejected by the state Supreme Court. The accounting discrepancies have raised concerns about South Carolina's credit rating and fiscal oversight.