SUMTER, S.C. (AP.WLTX) - The South Carolina Democratic Party says it is taking steps to remove Willie Lee Bethune from the June House District 64 primary after his conviction for Medicaid fraud.
Bethune was convicted last week of 10 counts of Medicaid fraud and sentenced to a year in jail.
Democratic Chairman Jaime Harrison said "Mr. Bethune's actions do not live up to the values of the Democratic Party or the code of conduct we expect from elected leaders. We do not support his candidacy, have spoken to our Executive Committee, and are taking steps to have him removed from the primary ballot."
The change will leave Rep. Bobby Ridgeway, D-Manning, without a challenger.
Bethune was found guilty of forging signatures on documents filed with the federal government when he was a contract social worker for a counseling services group associated with Clarendon County District One schools.
