Candidate for House Dist. 67 arrested

Willie Lee Bethune, 56, was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia at 10:01 a.m., May 22, on three counts of false statement by medical provider to the Department of Health and Human Services, according to Melinda Edwards, public information coordinator in Richland County Government.

Bethune was released from the center at 5:43 p.m. on a $3,000 bond.

“I really can’t talk about it,” Bethune said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s just very unfortunate. I was a contract person and everyone got charged. I’m innocent of all charges.”

Each count against Bethune is a misdemeanor and punishable by up to three years and/or $1,000, according to Mark Plowden, communications director for the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.

Bethune, one of eight candidates whose names were removed from the June Democratic Primary due to failure to file appropriate documents in a timely manner with the South Carolina Ethics Commission, said he is continuing his run for House District 67.

Bethune announced shortly after his name was removed from the ballot that he would seek the seat as a petition candidate.

“I have exceeded the number of signatures that I am required to have,” Bethune said Wednesday. “I’m continuing to get extras. I plan to submit my forms on Friday.”