Bribing their Way to Tort Reform in South Carolina

A South Carolina state representative claims that a lobbying group offered her campaign money in exchange for her support of a bill that would limit the amount of money that could be awarded in lawsuits.  Representative Shirley Hinson (R-Goose Creek)  accused South Carolina First of attempted bribery for its offer.  The group claimed that it merely offered her "political support" in exchange for her vote.   As a result, Representative Hinson, who had actually favored the bill even before the attempted bribe, withdrew her support for the bill.  When she did, South Carolina First sent out a mass mailing of postcards linking her to former President Clinton. 

This is an extreme example of how far big industry and anti-consumer groups are willing to go to deny injured people their day in court.